scholarly journals Queer, visible, present: the visibility of older LGB adults in long-term care environments

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 110-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Willis

Purpose This paper is a conceptual discussion of the ways in which the diverse lives, identities and collective politics of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people can be made visible, and how they are made visible, in long-term care environments for older people. The purpose of this paper is to problematise strategies of visibility as methods for promoting social inclusion in care environments. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual discussion that draws on several social theorists that have previously discussed the politics of visibility, knowledge and sexuality. Findings Promoting increased visibility in itself does not fully grapple with the ways in which older LGB can be represented and known as particular kinds of sexual citizens. This potentially curtails a more holistic recognition of their needs, interests and wishes, inclusive of their sexual lives and histories. Making LGB lives visible in care environments may not always be a productive or affirmative strategy for dismantling homophobic views and beliefs. Practical implications The theoretical implications of a politics of visibility warrant a deeper consideration of strategies for promoting visibility. The paper concludes with a discussion of some of the practical implications for rethinking strategies of visibility in care environments. Originality/value Critical discussions about the application of visibility strategies, and the problematic assumptions contained within such strategies, are lacking in relation to mainstream housing and social care provision for older LGB people. This paper seeks to initiate this important discussion.

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Hooper ◽  
Diane K Bunn

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider whether dehydration in older people should be used as a marker of lack of quality in long-term care provision. Design/methodology/approach – The piece examines the assumed relationship between dehydration and the quality of care, and then considers the factors that can lead to dehydration in older people. Findings – Even with the best care, older people, in the absence of a sense of thirst, and for fear of urinary accidents, difficulties getting to the toilet or choking, may choose to drink less than would be ideal for their health. While good care supports older people to minimise these problems, it also respects older people making their own decisions around when, what and how much to drink. It appears that dehydration may sometimes be a sign of good care, as well as arising from poor care. Social implications – Residential care homes should not be stigmatised on the basis of their residents being dehydrated, but rather helped to explore whether they are achieving an appropriate balance between care and quality of life for their residents. Originality/value – This discussion may be of use to those living in, working in, managing or assessing residential care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 725-725
Author(s):  
Yoko Ibuka ◽  
Yui Ohtsu

Abstract Socioeconomic status (SES) is generating considerable interest in terms of health of individuals, but how it is associated with long-term care has not been established yet. We study the relationship between SES and long-term care provision to parents among the Japanese adults using JSTAR. We use the following six measures of SES for the analysis: income, asset, expenditure, living condition, housing condition and education. We find a greater probability of care provision to parents among those in higher SES categories for some SES measures, compared to the lowest category. However, after considering the survival probability of parents, the relationship is reversed and the probability of care provision is found to be greater among lower SES individuals. The association is more pronounced among males. The association is likely to be partly mediated by care needs of parents. These results suggest a higher burden of care disproportionately falls in low SES individuals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 134-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Murphy ◽  
Thomas Turner

Purpose The undervaluing of care work, whether conducted informally or formally, has long been subject to debate. While much discussion, and indeed reform has centred on childcare, there is a growing need, particularly in countries with ageing populations, to examine how long-term care (LTC) work is valued. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the way in which employment policies (female labour market participation, retirement age, and precarious work) and social policies (care entitlements and benefits/leave for carers) affect both informal carers and formal care workers in a liberal welfare state with a rapidly ageing population. Design/methodology/approach Drawing the adult worker model the authors use the existing literature on ageing care and employment to examine the approach of a liberal welfare state to care work focusing on both supports for informal carers and job quality in the formal care sector. Findings The research suggests that employment policies advocating increased labour participation, delaying retirement and treating informal care as a form of welfare are at odds with LTC strategies which encourage informal care. Furthermore, the latter policy acts to devalue formal care roles in an economic sense and potentially discourages workers from entering the formal care sector. Originality/value To date research investigating the interplay between employment and LTC policies has focused on either informal or formal care workers. In combining both aspects, we view informal and formal care workers as complementary, interdependent agents in the care process. This underlines the need to develop social policy regarding care and employment which encompasses the needs of each group concurrently.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Beaulieu ◽  
Julien Cadieux Genesse ◽  
Kevin St-Martin

Purpose Among the ten Canadian provinces, Quebec has experienced the most significant excess mortality of older persons during COVID-19. This practice paper aims to present the chronology of events leading to this excess mortality in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach Documented content from three official sources: daily briefings by the Quebec Premier, a report from the Canadian Armed Forces and a report produced by Royal Society of Canada experts were analysed. Findings Two findings emerge: the lack of preparation in LTCFs and a critical shortage of staff. Indeed, the massive transfer of older persons from hospitals to LTCFs, combined with human resources management and a critical shortage of permanent staff before and during the crisis, generates unhealthy living conditions in LTCFs. Originality/value To our knowledge, this paper is the first to analyse official Quebec and Canadian statements concerning COVID-19 from the angle of quality of life and protection of older adults in LTCFs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63
Author(s):  
Ralf Lottmann ◽  
Ingrid Kollak

AbstractThis paper presents results of the research project „Gleichgeschlechtliche Lebensweisen und Selbstbestimmung im Alter“ (GLESA) by the Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, and the Berlin School of Economics and Law concerning the needs of gay and lesbian elders regarding long-term care. The main focus is on the expectations and perceptions of long-term care (facilities) of the interviewees living in a gay housing project in Berlin, Germany. The study is based on 26 interviews: with eleven gay, one lesbian and three heterosexual tenants – two of them lived in a shared community with long-term care services. Another eleven interviews were conducted with experts (five cis-female, four cis-male and two transgender) working in social and health services (social workers, carers and psychologists). The data was gathered via problem-centered interviews (Witzel 2000) and analysed with Mayrings‘ (2007) qualitative content analysis. Long-term care aspects were one out of five dimensions of the analysis. The study illustrates the discomfort of LGB elders regarding regular care services. The interviewees prefer LGB(T*I)-friendly facilities, in part because they demonstrate overt signs of diversity and promise a high competence of LGB(T*I) personnel in terms of self-determination, awareness, visibility and knowledge about LGBT*I communities. Finally, the authors advocate enhancing the concept of culture-sensitive long-term care according to diversity-sensitive aspects. A better understanding of diversity will help to better consider individuality and biographies in long-term care (facilities) and to support the social inclusion of LGB(T*I) elders in need of care.


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