Page 107 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2021. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 107
egrating the needs of LGBT+ older adults in to health and social psihologija / sociala in zdravje starejših odraslih | psychology / social and health of the elderly
care education
Anže Jurček, Mojca Urek
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of social work, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction. Non-normative sexual orientation, gender identity and gender ex-
pression at the intersection of old age, represent diverse risks of discrimina-
tion and social exclusion, and at the same time can include many negative con-
sequences for a person’s health and sense of security. In old age, the situation
may worsen, as LGBT+ older adults are less likely to access various forms of
support that could trigger coming out of the closet. Research shows that ine-
qualities in health and social care of LGBT+ older adults persist due to the lack
of inclusive services and cultural competence of health and social care practi-
tioners.
Methods. The partners of the European project “Being Me” took up the chal-
lenges presented and explored good educational practices on the needs and
specific living conditions of LGBT+ older adults using the innovative participa-
tory method “World Café” (a method of group dialog). In 2018, two “World
Cafés” were organized with a total of 78 stakeholders (LGBT+ older adults,
practitioners, researchers, students, professors and teachers). An evaluation
of both events was conducted using questionnaires. The project also included
research into the national contexts of the participating partners and the publi-
cation of two systematic literature reviews on approaches to education on LG-
BT+ older adults and the impact of such education on health and social care
staff.
Results. In the first World Café, participants shared their personal experiences
of care, highlighted the role of teachers in health and social care, and formulat-
ed initial ideas about the knowledge and skills that future practitioners should
be equipped with to provide more inclusive and safe care. The second World
Café was dedicated to researching specific methods and useful resources for
delivering trainings and using them in education. A systematic review of the lit-
erature and both World Cafés led to the development of online learning mate-
rials and principles of good practice for all who educate in the field of health and
social care. The World Café method has proved to be an effective approach to
linking the diverse views of participants and the participatory development of
learning content, as evidenced in the evaluation findings.
Discussion and conclusions. LGBT+ older adults represent one aspect of an in-
creasingly diverse group of people whose need for health and social care ser-
vices is growing in an aging society. In the future, staff training in these areas
will need to address the needs of LGBT+ older adults, as providers of these
services have a key role in delivering friendly and inclusive care to LGBT+ old-
er adults.
Keywords: LGBT+ older adults, inclusive care, education, World Café
105
care education
Anže Jurček, Mojca Urek
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of social work, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction. Non-normative sexual orientation, gender identity and gender ex-
pression at the intersection of old age, represent diverse risks of discrimina-
tion and social exclusion, and at the same time can include many negative con-
sequences for a person’s health and sense of security. In old age, the situation
may worsen, as LGBT+ older adults are less likely to access various forms of
support that could trigger coming out of the closet. Research shows that ine-
qualities in health and social care of LGBT+ older adults persist due to the lack
of inclusive services and cultural competence of health and social care practi-
tioners.
Methods. The partners of the European project “Being Me” took up the chal-
lenges presented and explored good educational practices on the needs and
specific living conditions of LGBT+ older adults using the innovative participa-
tory method “World Café” (a method of group dialog). In 2018, two “World
Cafés” were organized with a total of 78 stakeholders (LGBT+ older adults,
practitioners, researchers, students, professors and teachers). An evaluation
of both events was conducted using questionnaires. The project also included
research into the national contexts of the participating partners and the publi-
cation of two systematic literature reviews on approaches to education on LG-
BT+ older adults and the impact of such education on health and social care
staff.
Results. In the first World Café, participants shared their personal experiences
of care, highlighted the role of teachers in health and social care, and formulat-
ed initial ideas about the knowledge and skills that future practitioners should
be equipped with to provide more inclusive and safe care. The second World
Café was dedicated to researching specific methods and useful resources for
delivering trainings and using them in education. A systematic review of the lit-
erature and both World Cafés led to the development of online learning mate-
rials and principles of good practice for all who educate in the field of health and
social care. The World Café method has proved to be an effective approach to
linking the diverse views of participants and the participatory development of
learning content, as evidenced in the evaluation findings.
Discussion and conclusions. LGBT+ older adults represent one aspect of an in-
creasingly diverse group of people whose need for health and social care ser-
vices is growing in an aging society. In the future, staff training in these areas
will need to address the needs of LGBT+ older adults, as providers of these
services have a key role in delivering friendly and inclusive care to LGBT+ old-
er adults.
Keywords: LGBT+ older adults, inclusive care, education, World Café
105
