PCC-3 - Tools of LGBTQ+ Inclusion: The Long-Term-Care Equality Index

When asked about moving into a long-term care community, 60% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older adults think they may be denied care, experience neglect, and fear physical and verbal harassment. In turn, LGBTQ+ older adults who need to move into a more supportive care environment may hide their identity (go back into "the closet") or avoid care all together. Most long-term care providers want LGBTQ+ older adults to feel welcomed, protected and cared for in their communities. However, communities may be unsure how to best protect their LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination, develop gender-affirming policies for transgender residents, or create LGBTQ+ inclusive marketing materials. The Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI), launched in 2019, gives long-term care communities the information and resources they need to ensure that LGBTQ+ people have access to informed and inclusive care. The LEI is the national benchmarking tool on residential long-term care and senior housing policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, and staff. The LEI evaluates communities based on: Non-discrimination policies for residents, visitation, and employment; staff training in LGBTQ+ resident-centered care; transgender resident services; medical decision-making; employment benefits & policies; and community engagement. With free resources, technical assistance, and a biennial survey, the LEI helps senior housing communities assess, strengthen, and innovate their LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts. During this interactive session, the LEI leadership team will make the case for LGBTQ+ inclusive care, share findings from the LEI 2023 report, provide an overview of what senior housing communities are currently doing in the LGBTQ+ realm (with examples from the field), and share resources to assess and implement key LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in long-term care communities.