Providing culturally and clinically competent care to LGBTI2S seniors
Devan Nambiar
Rainbow Health Ontario, Canada
: J Aging Geriatr Med
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and two-spirit seniors (LGBTI2S) have experienced high levels of discrimination and homo/bi/trans-phobia. LGBTI2S seniors grew up in an era when it was a criminal offense to be LGBTI2S. LGBTI2S was diagnosed as a mental illness until 1973 in DSM III. The years of criminalization, imprisonment, harassment, fired from jobs, internalized shame, assault, medical assessment of their sexual lives have created a huge burden on their mental, emotion, sexual, spiritual and physical health. Due to societal and institutional homophobia many LGBTI2S seniors have not accessed primary health care and afraid to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity. This has resulted in chronic health conditions for them and they continue to remain an invisible aging population. HIV positive and transgender seniors have higher rates of health disparities and are at risk of experiencing greater stigma. Health care and social service providers are a crucial link to provide culturally sensitive and clinical services to aging LGBTI2S seniors. This presentation will explore the practical steps to engage in best practices in homecare, HRT, geriatric and palliative care. The interactive case studies will probe and stimulate discussions on how to work with LGBTI2S seniors, diffusing fear, shame, stigma experienced by them. The session uses a blended learning style utilizing didactic, research, videos and case scenarios to build knowledge and practical tools in becoming confident to provide optimal care to LGBTI2S seniors.
Biography
Devan Nambiar has been providing LGBTI2S and HIV training, education and lectures for over 20 years. He is a Guest Lecturer on 2SLGBTI2S+ cultural and clinical competencies for MDs, NPs, RNs, RSW and psychologists. He was a Co-investigator of the National Trans Needs Assessment Project, CAS in 2015 and Co-Principal Investigator of Improving the Capacity of the HIV Sector to respond to the Ethno-Racial MSM.OHTN in 2008. At CATIE, he has co-authored four national publications. In 1998-2002, he has initiated an antiretroviral recycling program at Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine, Chennai, India. He was the Recipient of the Canadian AIDS Society Leadership Award in 2006.
E-mail: dnambiar@rainbowhealthontario.ca
