Disclosing a LGB Sexual Identity When Living in an Elderly Long-Term Care Facility: Common and Best Practices

• Published in: Journal of homosexuality Vol. 66; no. 7; pp. 970 - 988
• Main Authors: Villar, Feliciano, Serrat, Rodrigo, Celdrán, Montserrat, Fabà, Josep, Martínez, M. Teresa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 07-06-2019; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Best practice; Bisexuality; Bisexuality - psychology; Disclosure; Female; Gays & lesbians; Heterosexuality; Homes for the Aged; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Female; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Identity; Lesbianism; Long term health care; Long term hospitals; Long-Term Care; Male; Men; older LGB people; Older people; Perceptions; Professional attitudes; professionals' reactions; Residential care; Self Disclosure; Sexual orientation; sexual orientation disclosure; Sexuality; older LGB people; professionals’ reactions; sexual orientation disclosure; Long-term care
• ISSN: 0091-8369; 1540-3602
• DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1486062

This study aims at exploring staff perceptions of common and best practices toward a situation in which an older resident discloses their non-heterosexual sexual identity, differentiating between gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals. A total of 2,254 staff members from 96 Spanish long-term care facilities took part in the study. They were asked about what they think most of their workmates would do and what they think should be done in a situation in which an older resident discloses his/her non-heterosexual sexual orientation. The results indicate that, in general, staff's attitudes to non-heterosexual older residents' disclosure of their sexual identity are quite tolerant and open. However, differences in staff perceptions of common and best practices indicate that there is still potential for improvement. Results underline that factors such as residents' sexual identity (and particularly, bisexuality), generation, professional position, and the prevailing model of care influence staff responses.