These Best Practice Guidelines for accommodating older gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex (GLBTI) people are a result of the GRAI research project which resulted in the report We Don’t Have Any of Those People Here.

It provides management and staff with a practical tool to assist in adopting practices to create an inclusive, rather than an exclusive, environment which is accepting and welcoming of all GLBTI people. It highlights the issues specific to older GLBTI people. Practical strategies are provided to assist in a greater understanding, and better accommodation and services for GLBTI elders.

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Accommodating older gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans
and intersex (GLBTI) people.

It is estimated that approximately 8% of the Australian population (1.7 million people) identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex.
In line with Australia’s growing ageing population, the number of older GLBTI Australians aged 65 years and over is expected to reach 1/2 a million
people by 2051.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex (GLBTI) people have the right to live in a safe and inclusive environment free from discrimination, oppression and abuse. Understanding cultural and historical backgrounds enables providers to better engage with, recognise and meet the unique needs of minority groups, including GLBTI people.

Purpose

To encourage management and staff to adopt practices to create an inclusive, rather than an exclusive, environment which is accepting and welcoming of all GLBTI people.

Aim

To provide practical strategies to the providers of retirement and residential aged care, so that they are better able to recognise, understand and meet the specific needs of GLBTI people.

Use

To support existing best practice frameworks used by providers of retirement and residential aged care and are intended to highlight the issues specific to older GLBTI people. Practical strategies are provided to assist in a greater understanding, and better management of GLBTI people.

Terminology

The acronym GLBTI is used throughout this document. It encompasses gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex people. However, it is important to note that diversity exists within the GLBTI population as in any population. It is recognised that trans and intersex people have additional specific requirements that have not been covered in this document. See the resource section for trans specific information, although it is
not ageing specific.