Supporting LGBTQ+ Elders (3HR) Presented by Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Supporting LGBTQ+ Elders (3HR)

$45.00

Categories: Clinical Supervision, Cultural Competence, General Skill Building, Online Course Tags: clinical, cultural competence, general skill building, stripe, Stripe only

Description

LGBTQ older adults make up a growing share of both the overall LGBTQ population and the larger 65+ population. This training will explore special considerations and realities of being older and part of the LGBTQ+ community. Important statistics regarding the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ elders will be presented along with the concept of minority stress. Practitioners will be encouraged to explore their role in supporting these older adults through exploring a case study and key practice recommendations and strategies.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify key considerations of inclusion and experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults.
Discover methods of supporting LGBTQ+ older adults.
Impart three recommendations for addressing clinical considerations in working with LGBTQ+ older adults.

Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Clinical, Cultural Competence, and General Skill Building continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Recording Date: 8/24/2024

Course Format

Course Format: Recorded Live Webinar with downloadable presentation slides and/or handouts, evaluation, and a required quiz. The learner is required to pass with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test until a satisfactory score is achieved.

CE Training Workshops, LLC, provider #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: (will fill in the dates once this has been approved).

CE Training Workshops, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.

For more information about our policies and board approval statements, please visit our FAQS page.

Meet Your Facilitator

Syllabus

Supporting LGBTQ+ Elders (3 HR) Syllabus

I. Health, Aging, and Identity

Increased risk for chronic illness, HIV, heart disease, and alcoholism
Higher incidence of depression and anxiety linked to lifetime discrimination
Importance of affirming care to promote healthy aging across body, mind, and spirit

II. Stigma, Isolation, and Risk

Lifelong exposure to stigma and rejection increases vulnerability
Risks include social isolation, poverty, delayed care, and early mortality
Minority stress exacerbates health disparities among LGBTQ+ elders

III. Legal, Financial, and Social Barriers

Limited access to pensions, inheritance, and spousal benefits
Fear of discrimination in care settings leads to concealment
LGBTQ+ elders may lack family support and face poverty at higher rates

IV. Dementia and Health Equity Concerns

7.4% of LGBT adults live with dementia; many lack equitable access to support
Barriers include discrimination, lack of affirming services, and social disconnection
Racial and ethnic LGBTQ+ elders report heightened concerns about care quality

V. Mental Health and Coming Out Later in Life

Later-in-life disclosure linked to reduced anxiety and increased connection
Motivated by authenticity, loss, and shifting family dynamics
Counseling must affirm identity and support meaning-making in later years

VI. Discrimination in Mental Health Services

Reports of transphobia, sexual harassment, and denial of affirming care
Clinicians may refuse to provide letters for gender-affirming procedures
Fear of involuntary hospitalization and mistrust of providers is common

VII. Clinical and Programmatic Considerations

Inclusive intake forms, respectful language, and visible affirming cues
Transgender inclusion must be built into all policies and procedures
Confidentiality, staff training, and programming tailored to LGBTQ+ elders are essential

VIII. Addressing Minority Stress

Internalized stigma and cumulative discrimination impact behavioral health
Stress heightened for LGBTQ+ elders of color due to intersecting identities
Interventions must address identity concealment, grief, and healthcare avoidance

IX. Affirming Care Models and Best Practices

Incorporate Relational Cultural Theory to foster connection and reduce isolation
Validate chosen families and non-traditional relationships
Develop integrated behavioral health services and strong LGBTQ+ referral networks

X. Resources and Support Tools

Use of LGBTQ+-affirming CBT and minority stress-informed interventions
Access to tools: SAGE hotline, LGBTQ+ Healthy Aging Toolkit, community organizations
Encourage peer support, inclusive group therapies, and culturally relevant materials