scholarly journals Swimming upstream: the provision of inclusive care to older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults in residential and nursing environments in Wales

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL WILLIS ◽  
TRACEY MAEGUSUKU-HEWETT ◽  
MICHELE RAITHBY ◽  
PENNY MILES
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Older People ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
Future Care ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Provision Of Care

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the ways in which older people's residential and nursing homes can constitute heteronormative environments – social spaces in which the same-sex attractions and desires of residents are disregarded in the provision of everyday care. The aim of this discussion is to examine the synergies and differences between older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults' expectations for future care home provision and the expectations of care staff and managers in providing residential services to older people with diverse sexual backgrounds. We present qualitative evidence from research into the provision of care environments in Wales. In this paper, we present findings from two cohorts: first, from five focus groups with care and nursing staff and managers; and second, from 29 semi-structured interviews with older LGB adults (50–76 years) residing in urban and rural locations across Wales. We argue that residential care environments can constitute heterosexualised spaces in which LGB identities are neglected in comparison to the needs and preferences of other residents. To this extent, we discuss how care staff and managers can be more attentive and responsive to the sexual biographies of all residents and argue against the separation of care and sexual orientation in practice.

What’s in a word? The importance of the concept of “values” in the prevention of abuse of older people in care homes

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Contributory Factor ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Value ◽  
Provision Of Care

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present some of the findings from an empirical, mixed methods research project that reveal the importance of the personal value frameworks held by individual staff in the prevention of abuse of older people in private sector care homes. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a sample of 36 care home personnel, including proprietors, care managers and care staff. Findings A significant number of respondents identified the importance of personal value frameworks among staff providing care as a potential contributory factor in the prevention of abuse of older people. Research limitations/implications Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 36 care home personnel through interviews, data suggest that the personal evaluations of staff towards those in their care is a significant contributory factor to the occurrence of abuse. Originality/value The research has identified individual staff value frameworks as a causal factor in the occurrence of abuse. The research also confirms that the perceptions of “values” among respondents directly involved in the provision of care are at odds with common understanding of “values” often cited elsewhere in connection with staff recruitment and training as a means of preventing the occurrence of abuse.

Paths to perdition: exploring the trajectories of care staff who have abused older people in their care

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
Negative Perceptions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings from face-to-face interviews with three former care staff who were proven to have abused some of the older people living in the care and nursing homes in which they had once worked. The research sought to explore the intra-personal dynamics, personal characteristics and work experiences that led these staff to perpetrate abuse. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with three former care and nursing home staff who had committed abusive acts and the data secured subjected to thematic narrative analysis. Findings None of the three people interviewed had intended to become care staff and reported that the interview and induction processes they experienced did little to establish their suitability for the work they would be undertaking or to prepare them for its demands. Participants expressed their generally negative perceptions of older people, particularly those living with dementia, and told of how they also felt that they were under pressure to conform with the often abusive care home regimes that they had entered. They also recounted some specific abusive practices developed to allow them to manage the constant tension between the time available to complete all of the tasks required when “caring” for older people, and revealed their perceptions of external scrutiny of care home conduct and the behaviours developed to deflect the effectiveness of this oversight. Two interview participants also revealed their unfavourable attitudes to some of the people they were employed to care for that were based upon perceptions of ethnic differences, and of how this had contributed to the abuse they perpetrated. Research limitations/implications Though the research draws upon the experiences of only three former care staff, the data reveal some of the intra-personal dimensions of individual staff who have engaged in abusive acts, and illuminates how the care home environment with which they interact can engender conditions under which abuse is more likely to occur. Originality/value Unusually, the paper explores the characteristics, perceptions and experiences of care staff who have actually committed abusive acts against those entrusted to their care.

scholarly journals Tożsamościowe wyzwania kobiet sprawujących opiekę nad dzieckiem w związkach jednopłciowych w świetle koncepcji Vivienne Cass

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 217-244
Author(s):  
Jowita Wycisk Jowita Wycisk
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Industrial Society ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Extensive Discussion ◽  
Sexual Orientation Identity ◽  
Parental Identity ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Bisexual Identity

Development of the contemporary post-industrial society entails the increasing diversity of family life models. People, making individual choices in this field, face new challenges related to identity formation. In the text presented this issue is discussed on the example of women bringing up children in same-sex relationships. The article presents basic information on the same-sex parenting, underlines the importance of the idea of identity integration in psychology and stresses the lack of contiguity between theories of parental identity development and these ones of homosexual and bisexual identity development. An extensive discussion of the Vivienne Cass’s theory of sexual orientation identity development is the basis for the approximation of potential discrepancies in the identity system of non-heterosexual women taking parental roles. Two main factors relevant to the processes of identity formation were distinguished: the order of the development of the sexual orientation identity and parental identity (the planned and reconstructed families differ in this regard) and the way of establishing and maintaining the relationship with the child (other challenges are faced by biological and social mothers). In the summary, questions requiring future empirical exploration were notified.

Does regular listening to preferred music have a beneficial effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety amongst older people in residential care? The qualitative findings of a mixed methods study.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Fiona Costa ◽  
Adam Ockelford ◽  
David J Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Older People ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Procedure ◽  
Foot Tapping

This article presents the qualitative findings of a mixed-methods evaluation of the effects of listening to preferred music on depression and anxiety in older people in residential care. One hundred and seventeen participants were recruited from nine care homes, all but one in Greater London. The homes varied in size and management style, and participants came from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. In addition to their usual routine, each participant listened to a daily 30-minute programme of their preferred music for three weeks. Both quantitative and qualitative data relating to anxiety and depression were collected during once-weekly semi-structured interviews. Findings from the qualitative data showed that listening to preferred music resulted in relaxation, positive reminiscence, less depression and less boredom. Physical reactions, such as ‘chills’ or tears, demonstrated emotional arousal; others, such as foot-tapping were beneficial to the most disabled participants. The use of preferred and favourite music was the principal facilitator of its effectiveness, whilst declines in memory, confidence and energy were barriers to the research procedure. It was concluded that listening to preferred music can bring some relief to depression and anxiety amongst older care home residents but that not all will benefit to the same degree.

Virginity beliefs in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals experiencing same- and different-sex “first” times

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coady Babin ◽  
Terry Humphreys
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Experiences ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
First Sex ◽  
The Gift ◽  
And Bisexual

The purpose of the current study was to explore first sex experiences in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (LGB) using the Virginity Beliefs Framework ( Carpenter, 2001 ; Humphreys, 2013 ; Eriksson & Humphreys, 2014 ). The specific focus was on LGB individuals who have had both a sexual experience with a member of a different sex and a member of the same sex. This phenomenon is what the current study is defining as second virginity loss. Participants consisted of 275 self-identified LGB individuals; the sample was approximately half women (57%) between the ages of 18 and 56. Further, six semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain a clearer understanding of LGB individuals first sex experiences. Two primary research questions were proposed: (1) how do the virginity belief frames map onto the two “first” sexual experiences of LGB individuals? and (2) are there differences in the virginity belief frames between the two “first” times? Results found that LGB individuals hold stronger process beliefs than gift or stigma beliefs for both of their “first” times. The qualitative interviews suggested that the process of understanding virginity was enmeshed with a larger exploration, and eventual validation, of sexual identity. There was also a significant drop in the strength of some of the gift, process, and stigma beliefs from different-sex experience to same-sex experience for many in the gay and bisexual samples, but not in the lesbian sample. The current study is the first to explore the phenomenon of second virginity loss in LGB individuals and could be used as a foundation for future research on LGB first sexual experiences.

scholarly journals Dexamethasone and oxygen therapy in care home residents with diabetes: a management guide and algorithm for treatment: a rapid response action statement from the European Diabetes Working Party for Older People (EDWPOP) and European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 895-900
Author(s):  
Alan James Sinclair ◽  
Stefania Maggi ◽  
Ahmed Hassan Abdelhafiz ◽  
Nicola Veronese ◽  
Leocadio Rodriguez-Manas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Oxygen Therapy ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
Working Party ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Practical Guidance

AbstractThis statement addresses the need to provide clinically relevant and practical guidance for long-term care staff working in care homes and other stakeholders engaged in the care of residents who require consideration for dexamethasone and oxygen therapy. It had been provided following a series of consensus discussions between the EDWPOP and the EuGMS in January and February 2021. Its main aim is to minimise morbidity and mortality from serious acute illnesses including COVID-19 requiring these treatments within the long-term care sector.

scholarly journals “Stepping up the ladder in safety”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of how LGB clients experience their therapists’ sexual orientation

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-223
Author(s):  
Tsabika Bafiti ◽  
Maria Viou ◽  
Prodromos Tarasis
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
The One ◽  
Systemic Family Therapy

Relevant literature has explored the issue of disclosure of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) therapists to heterosexual or LGB clients. But how do homosexual or bisexual clients understand and experience their therapist’s heterosexual orientation, known or assumed, in relation to the therapeutic alliance and the therapeutic process? In this qualitative study, we used the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine eight semi-structured interviews with LGB clients in a family-oriented therapy in Greece. Analysis revealed two themes of higher order, each having three subordinate themes depicting the client’s experience of the therapist’s sexual orientation: 1. Focus on the therapist’s sexual orientation: (a) as a hypothesis (b) as a factor of acceptance (c) as a factor of professional capability and 2. Focus on other therapist features: (a) gender (b) personality traits (c) practice of professional role. The therapist’s sexual orientation or the one perceived by the client was not a neutral issue in therapy and the cultivation of the therapeutic relationship but was only one part of the process. The way all these issues were processed and approached by clients was related to their personal history and phase of therapy. Suggestions for future research include conducting a research on clients from different therapeutic perspectives since it was carried out only on participants in long-term systemic family therapy.

scholarly journals Media reports of abuse in adult residential care: implications for staff and practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-184
Author(s):  
Yvonne Pedley ◽  
Paul McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care For Older People

Purpose There is often a focus on the negative aspects of residential care for older people. In the UK, there has been increasing media attention on abuse in these and other care settings and this has impacted upon public perceptions and subsequent government policy. Consequently, care staff are “tarred with the same brush”, yet narratives of their views have rarely been investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This undergraduate, qualitative, single-case study aimed to investigate the views of staff and explore the implications for them and their practice. The views of 15 participants in a residential care home were obtained through interviews and a focus group. Findings Although the findings reveal sensitivities to the negative portrayal of care roles, they also reveal positive responses through a willingness to change practice, a strengthening of care values and a reduction in risks. Originality/value This study will be of interest to those multi-disciplinary residential teams who care for older people as it uncovers a striking sense of guardianship amongst residential care staff, and a willingness to reflect on, and change, practice. The study endorses the value of small practitioner-led research as an illustration of how a residential care team consisting of managers and staff can strengthen its resolve against adverse media coverage and negative public perceptions. This study suggests that this will have positive implications for the health and safety of older people living in residential settings.

scholarly journals Crisis in care homes: the dentists don’t come

BDJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakhee Patel ◽  
Mamoona Mian ◽  
Claire Robertson ◽  
Nigel B. Pitts ◽  
Jennifer E. Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
Dental Needs

Abstract Aim/Objectives To present the findings of the challenges relating to access to dental care for older people in care homes from the Fluoride Interventions in Care Homes (FInCH) Trial. Methods Thematic analysis of 11 interviews / focus groups with care home managers and care staff were carried out against a framework informed by the literature drawing on lived experiences. Results The challenges identified mapped to Penchanksy and Thomas’s (1981) five dimensions of access but also highlighted themes specifically relevant to the care home population. These include a lack of suitable services for routine and urgent domiciliary and clinic care, complex referral processes, operational challenges in the need for appropriate care chaperones, expectations of information for dental charge exemption and capacity / consent processes within the home. Discussion There is a malalignment of dental services offered to meet the needs of care home residents which has resulted in a reactive dental care system that is not fit for purpose and an entire generation of older people living in care with dental neglect. Conclusion Urgent action is needed to commission not only the appropriate quantities of both routine and urgent dental care, but ensure it is delivered by clinicians who are appropriately skilled to meet the high levels of dental needs in an increasingly medically and behaviourally complex care home population. In line with eye tests and prescribing at the very least, free routine dental examinations should be offered to all care home residents, creating the opportunity for advice and prevention, and enabling care home residents to function and be free of pain. Trial Registration The FinCH Trial registration EudraCT number 2017-002248-34.

scholarly journals Reply to Technical Comment on Jonason, P. K., & Luoto, S. (2021). The dark side of the rainbow: Homosexuals and bisexuals have higher Dark Triad traits than heterosexuals. Personality and Individual Differences, 181, 111040.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Severi Luoto ◽  
Peter K. Jonason
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Adaptive Response ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Predictive Adaptive Response ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Bisexual People

We thank Sharpe and colleagues for the opportunity to discuss our article titled “The dark side of the rainbow: Homosexuals and bisexuals have higher Dark Triad traits than heterosexuals” in more detail. Here, we address the methodological concerns raised by Sharpe et al. and conclude by discussing our critics’ problematic suggestion that there is something pathologically “wrong” with homosexual and bisexual people. As scientists, we avoid moralizing on such topics, instead openly reporting the results of our research, even hypothesizing that elevated Dark Triad traits in nonheterosexual individuals might constitute an adaptive response or a predictive adaptive response to environmental harshness, whether such harshness may be experienced prenatally, in adolescence, or in adulthood. We further wish to reject and distance ourselves from the prejudiced view of homosexuality voiced by Sharpe et al. Their suggestion to avoid the term “homosexuality” is in itself prejudiced and in stark opposition to the liberation and empowerment of people with same-sex sexual attractions. We encourage other sex researchers to continue using the term “homosexual” as a purely descriptive scientific term which carries no moral implications, and the relevant communities and organizations to accept its continued use in science alongside other sexual orientation categories.

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