Demanding Discrimination
Posted by Raven on 9th October 2007
Making a mountain out of an anthill here, quite classically:
The plight of the gay elderly has been taken up by a generation of gay men and lesbians, concerned about their own futures, who have begun a national drive to educate care providers about the social isolation, even outright discrimination, that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients face.
Several solutions are emerging. In Boston, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and other urban centers, so-called L.G.B.T. Aging Projects are springing up, to train long-term care providers. At the same time, there is a move to separate care, with the comfort of the familiar.
In the Boston suburbs, the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home will break ground in December for a complex that includes a unit for the gay and lesbian elderly. And Stonewall Communities in Boston has begun selling homes designed for older gay people with support services similar to assisted-living centers. There are also openly gay geriatric case managers who can guide clients to compassionate services.
When I worked for nursing homes some 15 plus yrs ago, several residents I took care of were gay or lesbian. They let it be known…and they did not have other special needs than other residents. Privacy rules prevented staff from even knowing the status of sexual orientation; we “found out” when the residents or their loved ones told us. I don’t recall any form of discrimination. Other residents really didn’t seem to care.
California is the only state with a law saying the gay elderly have special needs, like other members of minority groups. A new law encourages training for employees and contractors who work with the elderly and permits state financing of projects like gay senior centers.
Special needs? Like what?
A gay man fired his home health aide. Did the case manager ask why? The patient might be receiving unwanted Bible readings from someone who thinks homosexuality is a sin. What about a lesbian at an assisted-living center refusing visitors? Maybe she is afraid that her friends’ appearance will give her away to fellow residents.
“We need to be open and sensitive,” Ms. Krinsky said, “but not wrap them in a rainbow flag and make them march in a parade.”
Oh puleeze…unwanted Bible readings? Can’t they come up with something more offending? I highly doubt THAT ever happened. I really do. So, let’s be open, warm and fuzzy but not say why. Let’s provide the aides with special training in the emotional care of gay people but not with those with dementia- which is needed just as much if not much more…let’s cater to a group of people because of their sexual orientation but not their nursing needs (which would include lifestyle and spiritual care). Sexuality is something nurses address; and nursing homes are regulated to the extent where visitors- friends or lovers or spouses- cannot be
turned away. We cannot regulate how other residents react, respond or otherwise interact with their fellow residents.
We do have many special care units for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. These people DO have very different and unique medical and nursing needs; they often need special programming to keep them active, safe and not a threat to others AND themselves.
Jalna Perry, a 77-year-old lesbian and psychiatrist in Boston, is out, she said, but does not broadcast the fact, which would feel unnatural to someone of her generation. Dr. Perry, who uses a wheelchair, has spent time in assisted-living centers and nursing homes. There, she said, her guard was up all the time.
Dr. Perry came out to a few other residents in the assisted-living center — artsy, professional women who she figured would accept her. But even with them, she said, “You don’t talk about gay things.” Mostly, she kept to herself. “You size people up,” Dr. Perry said. “You know the activities person is a lesbian; that’s a quick read.”
Trickier was an aide who was gentle with others but surly and heavy-handed when helping Dr. Perry with personal tasks. Did the aide suspect and disapprove? With a male nurse who was gay, Dr. Perry said she felt “extremely comfortable.”
“Except for that nurse, I was very lonely,” she said. “It would have been nice if someone else was out among the residents.
The truth comes out finally. The solution might be to hire gay and lesbian staffs- which is discrimination in itself. Hence, the nursing homes that cater to this population is not a bad idea. No one should have an issue with it…and the staff who chose to work for these places go in knowing who they will be serving. Will we allow the anti discrimination laws an exception for the staff who are recruited and employed at these places? Should we? Only gay or lesbian nurses and aides and activity professionals need apply? It’s looking like it could happen.
People are people. Nurses and aides will care for anyone. We are compassionate. Yes there are some bad apples among us- usually younger just out of high-school types who have little experience with different peoples; or (illegal) immigrants who have NO exposure to our wonderful American culture and openness as a society. As the current baby boomers age, all that this group IS will age together. Many of them are very excepting of their gay and lesbian friends and I really don’t think this will warrant more laws and reverse discrimination policies.
It’s funny how groups of people demand special protections and “status” so they can alter and twist the very laws designed to protect them when it’s convenient for them. Will these special nursing units someday be considered a form of isolation? I bet it will, by the gay and lesbian community itself. By insisting upon these special units, these people are drawing MORE attention to their sexuality and therefore, more potential isolation and all the ill effects it causes. A nursing home designed for gay and lesbians will stand out much more than one that offers care to everyone regardless of sexual orientation. In a sense these people are forcing the discrimination upon themselves.
Posted in Life Counts!, Medical/Nursing, Nursing Homes, PC Infestations, Raven | 2 Comments »