In surveys, up to 80% of
LGBT older adults express fear of discrimination and possible abuse in the
Long-Term Care (LTC) system. Care providers are not always aware of the unique
health and social issues facing LGBT people. In some cases, LGBT older adults
are not aware of specific rights and protections to which consumers of
long-term care are entitled.
“Staying Out in
Long-Term Care” was presented on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at the United Way
Building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, PA. At “Staying Out,”
which drew an audience of 24 consumers and service providers, an attorney/LTC
ombudsman discussed the rights that all people have in LTC environments. A
panel discussion followed, focusing on the best practices and standards of care
that people should expect in LTC. The panel included a nursing home
administrator, a social worker and two community members who have had
experience as residents in LTC settings.
 |
Mark Davis discussed an individual's
rights in long-term care settings
|
Presenters
Mark Davis is a long-term care ombudsman with CARIE and an
attorney with the Law Office of Michael S. Connor, Esq. L.L.C., a Lafayette
Hill, PA firm that provides elder law, estate planning and administration
services to seniors.
April Murdock was an Airbrush artist for 33 years and
also did crisis intervention / suicide prevention during the 80s &
90s. April has been active with many
community events and organizations including the Philadelphia Trans Health
Conference, William Way Community Center and the Philadelphia police
commissioner's LGBT Liaison Committee. April is a stroke survivor and the
survivor of physical violence.
Jamie Powers is a social worker for the University of
Pennsylvania’s Living Independently for Elders (LIFE) program in West
Philadelphia. She has focused her work on gerontology, working with older
adults who suffer from complex physical and mental health disorders.
Joel Sartorius was once facilitator for MorningsOUT, a social and information sharing group for gay men
over 50. He and his partner, Bob, have been together thirty-six years. In his
professional career Joël was a children’s and then a rare book librarian at the
Free Library of Philadelphia.
Doug Venzie most recently served as Executive Director
and Administrator for Lutheran Care at Moorestown, NJ, a 265 resident,
long-term care and assisted living community. Doug's professional
experiences include over 25 years as an administrator in senior and
long-term care communities.
Collaborators
and Sponsors
This
program was part of a collaborative effort of the LGBTEI; Center for Advocacy
for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE); Philadelphia Long-Term
Ombudsman Program; and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern
New Jersey.
The
program was made possible through the support of Delaware Valley Legacy Fund
and Philadelphia Gay News.
Technical support courtesy of Peter Lien.
RESOURCES
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete