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Providing inclusive, person‐centred care for LGBT+ older adults: A discussion on health and social care design and delivery
Author(s) -
Roe Lorna,
Galvin Miriam
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.13178
Subject(s) - health care , nursing , service delivery framework , gerontology , psychology , medicine , service (business) , political science , business , marketing , law
Aim To examine how health system design and delivery can fail to support the needs of LGBT+ older adults. Background LGBT+ older adults face barriers in access to care, impacting their ability to receive person‐centred care in old age, which is central to the prevention and management of frailty, disability and disease. Evaluation Using a conceptual framework of access to care, this commentary illustrates issues LGBT+ older adults may face in accessing health and social care services in Ireland, and provides examples of how access may be improved from the published international literature. Key issue(s) Health policies, service design and delivery all impact on the ability of the health system to meet the needs of LGBT+ older adults across all levels and types of care. Conclusion Heteronormativity and discrimination must be addressed across the whole health system to achieve the health policy goal of supporting all older adults to enjoy health and well‐being. Implications for nursing management We suggest nursing professionals use a systems perspective to address the multilevel issues relating to care for LGBT+ older adults. Researchers in gerontological nursing should include the experiences and outcomes of service utilization for LGBT+ older adults in their research agenda.