Nurs Older People. 2019 Sep 27;31(5):16-21. doi: 10.7748/nop.2019.e1115. Epub 2019 Jun 26.
Nursing older people
Philip Harper
PMID: 31468853 DOI: 10.7748/nop.2019.e1115
Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and others (LGBTQ+) people living with dementia have specific needs related to their sexual orientation and identity that should be addressed to maintain their personhood. They may face challenges in health and social care settings, such as heteronormativity and lack of awareness of older LGBTQ+ needs. Service provision for older LGBTQ+ people with dementia is lacking. Healthcare professionals' attitudes towards older LGBTQ+ people with dementia are often poor and there is a clear need for better training, while increased knowledge and awareness would help to challenge the concept of heteronormativity. This article explores some of the needs of older LGBTQ+ people with dementia, the role of legislation and regulation and how healthcare professionals can provide support.
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Keywords: bisexual; dementia; diversity; equality; gay; inclusion; lesbian; older people; trans
