NCAL Creates New In-Service Training Tool

VHCA (7/23/2010)

NCAL has created a new in-service training tool educating staff on how to better meet the needs of individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) living in assisted living communities.  This resource was reviewed and approved by the NCAL Board of Directors meeting in June 2010.

The education tool is designed to convey basic principles of person-centered caring and the need for cultural understanding.  The scripted tool, formatted in PowerPoint, conveys to staff members that quality care is to be provided to all residents regardless of their sexual orientation.  The inservice may be found on NCAL’s Advocating Care Excellence (ACE) website.

The topic for this in-service came to the attention of the NCAL Quality Committee in late 2008 and since then this issue has become increasingly recognized as an educational opportunity in assisted living, and in long term care in general, by various consumer groups as well as federal agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  In late 2009, HHS announced it would establish the nation’s first national resource center to assist cities and towns across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older LGBT individuals. Experts estimate that as many as 1.5 to 4 million LGBT individuals are age 60 and older.  In addition, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued guidance on July 1, 2010 that gives LGBT individuals and families further assistance when facing housing discrimination. HUD will commission the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing.