Long-Term Care Issues For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, And Transgender

Heterosexism and homophobia are widespread in nursing homes and are symptomatic of a larger sexphobia often associated with those providing services to seniors. In a mid-1990s survey of nursing home social workers, more than half said their coworkers were intolerant or condemning of homosexuality among residents, while most other respondents avoided answering the question. The staff in one nursing home refused to bathe a resident because they did not want to touch “the lesbian,” and a home care assistant threatened to “out” a gay client if he reported her negligent care (Cook-Daniels 1997). (more…)