'Everyday advocates' for inclusive care? Perspectives on enhancing the provision of long-term care services for older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults in Wales

Paul Willis, Michele Raithby, Tracey Maegusuku-Hewett, Penny Miles

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

This paper centres on a neglected area of social work with older people-the social inclusion of older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults in long-term care environments. The translation of equality law into the delivery of adult care services is a challenging endeavour for organisations, even more so in the morally contested terrain of sexual well-being. In this paper, we report findings from a mixed-methods study into the provision of long-term care for older adults who identify as LGB. Herein we present findings from a survey of care workers and managers (n = 121) and from focus groups with equality and LGB stakeholder represent atives (n = 20) in Wales. Focusing on the current knowledge and understanding of staff, we suggest that affirmative beliefs and practices with sexual minorities are evidentamongst care workers and managers;however, theinclusion of LGB residents needs to be advanced systemically at structural, cultural and individual levels of provision. There is a need for enhancing awareness of the legacy of enduring discrimination for older LGB people, for cultural acceptance in care environments of older people's sexual desires and relationships, and for a more explicit implementation of equality legislation. Social workers in adult care can advance this agenda.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)409-426
Number of pages18
JournalBritish Journal of Social Work
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

Keywords

  • Adult care
  • Ageing
  • Older LGB adults
  • Older people
  • Residential care
  • Sexual identity
  • Sexuality
  • Social work

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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