Nurses have an ethical obligation to provide the highest quality of care to each and every resident, regardless of their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and gender identity. Perhaps their obligation is even greater considering many LGBTQ+ older adults have been underserved in health care, have not sought out treatment out of fear, and as a consequence are at a disadvantage concerning health and well-being.
Some experts have indicated that this population may go widely unnoticed in senior care or at times ignored. How or why can this happen? It may begin with the nurse’s own personal bias towards the LGBTQ+ population. It may also be that nurses are unaware of the latest terminology and shy away from residents suspected to be LGBTQ+. Another reason nurses may maintain bias is a poor understanding about the diverse nature of this population, which is very diverse in terms of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, politics, and more.
During the admissions process, sexual orientation, gender identity and the use of preferred pronouns may be helpful in breaking the ice and getting to know the person. Asking residents how they preferred being addressed, who is in their circle of family and friends, and how they like to spend their time would also be very helpful in delivering appropriate care and designing an effective plan of care.
Beyond this, nurses have to dig a bit deeper. According to a great article from the journal Geriatric Nursing, nurses can deliver ethical person-centered care by:
- Being aware of their own bias and how it impacts care
- Appreciating terminology and how words have power and influence
- Realizing that the LGBTQ+ population is a very diverse group of individuals
- Being an advocate for sexual orientation and gender identity in nursing assessments
- Never assume an individual’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity
- Share best practices with colleagues and care partners
- Become an advocate for increased visibility on the LGBTQ+ population
Provision 9 of the Code of Ethics for Nurses calls for the integration of principles of social justice into nursing and health policy. Being the largest group of healthcare professionals, nurses can make a significant difference in the lives of all patients or residents, and in particular those who have been historically underserved and at times, invisible.