LGBTQ+ Inclusive Home Provision for older people
Dr Jolie Keemink from CHSS and Prof Paul Willis from CARE at Cardiff University have been awarded funding from the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Programme for Social Care to study LGBTQ+ inclusion (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other sexuality and gender minority groups) in home care for older people in England and Wales.
Collaborating organisations include Social Care Wales, Skills for Care and the UK Homecare Association along with co-investigators from the University of Birmingham and London South Bank University.
The two year project began on 1 June and aims to better understand how prepared people working in home care are to support older (aged 60+) LGBTQ+ people. By prepared, we mean if home care workers have the right skills, knowledge, and confidence to support the LGBTQ+ population. Earlier studies show that care workers lack skills, knowledge and confidence to support older LGBTQ+ people. These studies have focused on care homes and extra care housing, but no studies have looked at home care specifically. There are at least 1 million older LGBTQ+ people in England and Wales, so this issue affects many people.
The research will include a rapid review of the existing literature for information about the preparedness of people working in home care, an online questionnaire for home care workers and providers about their LGBTQ+ knowledge and current skills, and interviews with home care workers and older LGBTQ+ people currently receiving home care support. Older people may also choose to send letters about their experiences of home care. Findings will be used to produce guidance for the home care workforce, and support materials for older LGBTQ+ people.
The study was informed by perspectives from home care staff and LGBTQ+ people. A group of older LGBTQ+ people will work with us throughout the study as co-researchers. They will advise us on all aspects and will help us with interviews with LGBTQ+ people.
Follow study developments on our project our website.