RESUMO
This qualitative study of lesbian and gay elders seeks to identify the psychosocial challenges this community faces regarding long-term care. Two focus groups were conducted among 16 gay elders in community and long-term care settings. Participants reported fear of being rejected or neglected by healthcare providers, particularly personal care aides; fear of not being accepted and respected by other residents; fear of having to go back into the closet if placed in long-term care; and a preference for gay-friendly care. Participants suggested staff training to promote acceptance and respect for gay people, and favorably perceived gay-specific and gay-friendly living arrangements.
Assuntos
Homossexualidade Feminina/psicologia , Homossexualidade Masculina/psicologia , Relações Profissional-Paciente , Instituições Residenciais , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Assistência de Longa Duração , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , New Jersey , New YorkRESUMO
Policy developments in the health care arena in general, and in end-of-life and palliative care in particular, strongly influence the practice environment for the delivery of hospice and palliative care services and the diverse roles of social work practitioners. This article analyzes policy developments in two crucial areas-ethics and law and disenfranchisement and health disparities. It focuses on the recent social work literature and other key sources and provides recommendations to promote the roles of social workers in ethics consultation, public policy, and advocacy and to integrate better the perspectives and concerns of diverse communities into palliative care practice, education, and policy.
