Challenges Faced by Older LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Aging Process
Supporting older LGBTQ+ individuals is vital to ensure that all people have an average level of comfort in society. In a world that is unlike the one they are accustomed to, social workers can assist them by helping them gain a better comprehension of the social and cultural components of their lives. In addition, it is essential to create safe spaces in which older LGBTQ+ individuals can fully express their interests and communicate with other people (Sage, n. d. a). An important aspect of support is also paying attention to mental health. This is necessary to help people better adapt to a changing world.
Key Points for Training Colleagues on Supporting Older LGBTQ+ Individuals
As they age, older LGBTQ+ individuals may face challenges in areas such as historical context, intersectionality of identities, and ageism in the community. In this regard, peer training may include an essential element in developing an understanding of the aging experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals (Sage, n. d. b).
The second important topic for the training is the discussion of problems in healthcare and inequality. Elderly LGBTQ+ individuals may face prejudice and misunderstanding, and in this regard, social workers should work out mechanisms for interaction with medical institutions to prevent this problem (The Goldsen Institute, 2023).
Another topic for training should be social isolation and the development of projects to involve people in society. These points will address the historical aspect and the problem of ageism. Developing problems related to barriers to inclusion can be helpful in addressing the intersectionality aspect and is the final topic of the training.
Addressing Resistance to LGBTQ+ Training and Information
The critical point in the training that I would like to convey is the fight against the problems of non-acceptance of older LGBTQ+ individuals in the wider society. Resistance to the information presented can be overcome by disseminating information about older LGBTQ+ individuals and the barriers this population regularly faces (The Goldsen Institute, 2023). In this way, social workers will be able to understand better how difficult it is for older LGBTQ+ individuals in society.
References
Sage. (n. d. a). About the long-term care equality index (LEI). Advocacy & Servises for LGBTQ+ Elders. Web.
Sage. (n. d. b). Welcome to the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ aging. National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging. Web.
The Goldsen Institute. (2023). Legacy letters builds intergenerational community in Seattle. Web.