A Social Work Practice Reflection on Issues Arising for LGBTI Older People Interfacing With Health and Residential Care: Rights, Decision Making and End-of-Life Care

Abstract

This article is a social work practice reflection on issues arising for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) older people interfacing with health and residential care in Australia; focusing on clients, families, and carers in relation to rights, decision making, and end-of-life care. The article explores relevant case examples from social work practice in a health and residential care setting that highlight some specific complexities of working with this client group. This article brings greater attention to issues arising for older LBGTI when interfacing with health and residential care and has the potential to improve practice for social workers and other health professionals and improve outcomes for LGBTI older people.

KEYWORDS:

• older people
• LGBTI
• health care
• end-of-life care

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank St. Vincent’s Hospital for their support for this study, and Margaret Bramwell, Social Work Manager, and Elizabeth Love and Trish McKinnon for comments on an earlier draft of this article.