De-Mystifying Affirming Care

By Catherine Braxton

Last week we were honored to host our first video podcast with Jacqueline Boyd from The Care Plan.  We spoke open and candid of the LGBTQ issues arising with the up and coming baby boomer generation.

Understanding that the average life expectancy of an LGBTQ adult is 12 years shorter than the hetero-normative counterpart, it is not difficult to comprehend that the biggest issues these communities face is that of medical discrimination, adequate medical treatment affordable and available housing and isolation.

Jacqueline shared some staggering statistics, ones that made my jaw drop.  11% of LGBTQ power of attorney decisions are disregarded in medical settings.  That means one of every 10 LGBTQ adults that need to present their P.O.A. due to life threatening illness or injury is being denied their rights and choices as to who will assist in decision making.  This is oppressive.  No other group would remain quiet if this were true of them.  An uprising would occur if such blatant discrimination was afoot.  And yet, this fight is silent and deadly.

“You are at high risk for discrimination when you reveal yourself” Jacqueline commented.  Those who identify as LGBTQ have difficulty finding a doctor that will honor their choices, recognize their needs and respect their person-hood.  Most often, when intimate medical questions are asked, an LGBTQ adult will fear answering truthfully based on potential discrimination.  This can lead to misdiagnosis, lack of proper diagnosis and inadequate medical treatment.  If an LGBTQ adult does disclose themselves they run the risk of being denied care by that physician or refusal of services.

The lacking of health care provisions leads to premature death.  This is not acceptable and should not be tolerated.  But how do we encourage cultural competence for this community?  Tolerance, understanding and information are the foundation for affirming care for the LGBTQ communities.  Education must be made mandatory as we grow and change as a society, encouraging a respect for person-hood, regardless of sex, gender affiliation, or self identification.

A few months ago Tami and I attended a national conference on aging.  We attended a session on LGBTQ issues.  The room was nowhere near capacity and in fact, we were probably the only two heterosexual identifying individuals there. The issues were obvious, the attendees were already aware of them, either because they were experiencing it personally or professionally and we were astounded.  How could a session like this be simply a break-out option and not mandatory?  

Perhaps we want to believe we have grown in society and are a more accepting crowd than ever before, yet we are still afraid to face terminal issues… issues that can and do affect us as social and medical providers.

If we want to stay ahead of the curve of the ever present “silver tsunami “ than we must be open to a more diverse and self-fulfilling group of aging adults. They are all colors, shapes, sizes, identities and genders. If we do not take the opportunities to learn of diversity and cultural competency, then we will find ourselves lacking in the industry,  not only socially but morally.

For some, this may still be a big pill to swallow, therefore break out sessions of this nature should be termed “step-out” sessions, mandatory education where we must step out of our comfort zone, accept differences, learn to assist and embrace each other because of them and ultimately demystify affirming care provisions for all people.

Catherine Braxton is the Chief Education Officer for the Silver Dawn Training Institute.  Together with the C.O.O., Tami Neumann, the duo creates and curates original content that addresses RAW issues surrounding the aging industry and dementia care.  The Dementia R.A.W. conference provides CEU's for most allied health professionals and is taking place at Prairie State College on May 24th.  Click here for more information and registration.