Lorna Roe1,2,3, Miriam Galvin1,4. 1. Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Ireland. 2. Centre for Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Ireland. 3. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Ireland. 4. Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Lorna Roe; Miriam Galvin; Laura Booi; Lenisa Brandao; Jorge Leon Salas; Eimear McGlinchey; Dana Walrath Journal: HRB Open Res Date: 2020-05-21