Catering to sex, sexual, and gender diversity: An exploratory study on the effects of LGBTI awareness training on aged care staff in Tasmania, Australia

Abstract

The Australian National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy seeks to address the lack of recognition of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) adults living in aged care. Awareness training for aged care staff forms a crucial part of this strategy, but the impact of such educational programs are yet to be examined. In this article, we examine the effects of LGBTI awareness training on staff working in an Australian aged care facility. These staff perceived the awareness training as valuable, but the outcomes from it were limited. Therefore, we indicate changes that are necessary to support the translation of training into practice.

Keywords:

• aged care
• aged care policy
• LGBTI
• residential care
• staff training
• Australia

Acknowledgments

We thank the residential care facility for their support of this study, and the participants for giving their time. We further thank Dr. Max Travers for his feedback and support. This research was conducted as part of the primary author’s Honors year in sociology at the University of Tasmania.