Training, resources and LGBTI ageing information
LGBTI inclusive practice
LGBTI-Inclusive Practice Review Tool (The Val’s Review Tool) [PDF 715kb]
The LGBTI-Inclusive Practice Review Tool for services supporting or caring for older people (The Val’s Review Tool) has been developed to assist service providers to become culturally safe and inclusive for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people. Using the Rainbow Tick Standards as the framework, the Val’s Review Tool will assist with the identification of current practice, including gaps and areas for improvement and action in the provision of LGBTI-safe and inclusive care and support. Services can also use their results to demonstrate actions and requirements for Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS) review processes. Download a printer-friendly version of the review tool.
Rainbow Tick Standards: A framework for LGBTIQ cultural safety
The Rainbow Tick framework developed by Rainbow Health Australia is designed to support organisations to improve the quality of care and services they provide to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) service users, staff and volunteers. This resource provides a guide to the six LGBTIQ-inclusive practice Standards that are used in Rainbow Tick accreditation. The Rainbow Tick Standards serve as a useful framework to guide best practice in LGBTIQ inclusion at any stage of the change process. More information can be found at Rainbow Health Australia.
Rainbow Tick accreditation and evidence guide
This guide is the supplement to Rainbow Tick: a framework for LGBTIQ cultural safety and outlines the associated actions and examples of evidence that might be used to demonstrate that an organisation has met Rainbow Tick accreditation standards, and/or LGBTI inclusive practice.
National Aged Care Diversity Framework
The National Aged Care Diversity Framework provides an overarching structure and guidance around diversity in aged care and includes a number of action plans (see following headings Actions to Support…). The Diversity Framework and the LGBTI Action Plans build on the first National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Aged Care Strategy 2012 - 17.
Actions to Support LGBTI Elders: a Guide for Consumers [Link to download]
In conjunction with the National Aged Care Diversity Framework, this guide may help older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender diverse, and intersex (LGBTI) to express their needs with aged care providers. It can also help people working in aged care to better understand and address LGBTI needs and experiences.
Actions to Support LGBTI Elders: a Guide for Aged Care Providers [Link to download]
Together with the National Diversity Framework, this action plan has been developed for aged care providers and outlines key actions for the development and delivery of LGBTI inclusive services for older people.
LGBTI Inclusive Language Guide [PDF 116KB]
This guide explains how to use language respectfully and inclusively when working with and referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse and intersex people. It's for Victorian public sector employees but can be useful for anyone.
Beyond a rainbow sticker. A report the 2012-2013 program [PDF 864KB]
The report from the second How2 program. This highly effective and successful program builds the capacity of services and organisations to become LGBTI inclusive. See www.rainbowhealthvic.org.au for information on the program.
LGBTI-inclusive risk management: providing cultural safety [PDF 1.1MB]
The LGBTI inclusive risk management guide can assist services to understand risk and provide LGBTI culturally safe services.
LGBTI-inclusive actions – Planning for Action resource [PDF 213KB]
The Val’s LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care Planning for Action Resource provides aged care service providers with a range of considerations and achievable actions to help your service become LGBTI aware, welcoming and inclusive
Planning for Actions – Social Support Activities [PDF 219KB]
Val’s has developed a resource with suggested activities and events for inclusion in mainstream social support programs and residential aged care activity and lifestyle programs that will be of interest and/or relevance to older LGBTI people and their allies.
Intersex inclusion Guide [Link to download]
Intersex Human Rights Australia has developed an inclusion guide to respecting people with intersex variations
How to be an Intersex Ally[Link to download]
Intersex Human Rights Australia has produced a resource to educate and assist people to be an intersex ally, respect the diversity of the intersex population, use appropriate language and guide inclusive practice.
Training
Val’s LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care provides a range of training packages to assist aged care service providers and services working with or supporting older people, to understand the experiences and needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender diverse, and intersex (LGBTI) people, and develop their knowledge and capacity to be LGBTI welcoming and inclusive. Many older LGBTI people have lived through a history of extraordinary discrimination, social stigma and violence. These experiences have not only impacted their health, wellbeing, and visibility, but for many also created barriers to accessing health, care and support services.
The LGBTI aged care awareness training programs can provide a foundation for the development of LGBTI culturally safe and inclusive care and assist with understanding and meeting Aged Care Quality Standards requirements as they relate to this cohort.
The following training programs are provided:
Rainbows Don’t Fade with Age - LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care Training (4 hours – fee for service)
This training package will assist your organisation to build awareness around the experiences and needs of older LGBTI people and provide a stepping stone to understanding and implementing LGBTI inclusive practice in your service. The training is appropriate for a range of staff and roles across the ageing and aged care sector and includes interactive activities, presentations of LGBTI research, policy and legislation, case studies, educational videos and facilitated discussion.
Our trainers provide an environment for safe, accessible and open discussion to foster an understanding of the history and experiences of older LGBTI people and how these may impact their access to care and support services. We have experience in working with older people and within the aged care sector, and understand the range of service delivery models, care complexities and the range of staff providing support and care. We can assist staff and organisations to become LGBTI aware and provide an introduction to LGBTI inclusive practice. This program has been developed by Val’s LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care, part of Rainbow Health Australia.
This training program can be delivered in a virtual setting (e.g. via Zoom or similar), or your location (in accordance with current restrictions and requirements and with a COVID-safe plan in place)
Email us to find out more about this program or to tailor training to meet your needs: valslgbti@latrobe.edu.au or download the flyer here.
Rainbow Health Australia Training packages
Rainbow Health Australia provide a range of training programs and packages from LGBTI awareness training through to the How2 – a program to assist with the development of LGBTI inclusive practice including providing preparation and a strong foundation for Rainbow Tick accreditation.
Visit the Rainbow Health Australia Website
For more information about any of the training available, and to talk to us about your professional development needs, call us on (03) 9479 8740 or email valslgbti@latrobe.edu.au
Research reports and articles
Darlington Statement: Joint consensus statement from the intersex community [PDF 2.86MB]
Joint statement by Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex community organisations and independent advocates at the intersex community retreat in Darlington, March 2017.
Culturally safe services for older LGBTI people [PDF 97KB]
Journal article written by Val's regarding culturally safe and inclusive practice for older LGBTI people.
Experiences and needs of LGBT people living with dementia [PDF 363KB]
We are still gay... an evidence-based resource exploring the experiences of and needs of LGBT people living with dementia. This resource outlines the key issues from the study with suggested strategies for service providers to help meet the needs of LGBT people living with dementia. It includes narrative case studies which can be used by service providers to build knowledge, capacity and confidence to provide LGBT inclusive care and support.
LGBTI carers and the carers of older LGBTI people [PDF 328KB]
This resource draws from interviews and a survey conducted with LGBTI carers and the carers of LGBTI people. It includes narratives from carers, and a guide to providing inclusive services and support for carers.
Experiences and needs of LGBT Australians living with dementia, and their partners [PDF 215KB]
This article explores the experiences of LGBT Australians living with dementia and their partners, and their interactions with biological family and service providers.
There’s No Need to Straighten Up [PDF 5MB]
This study was commissioned by beyondblue and carried out by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, in collaboration with the Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin University between 2012 -2013. It was undertaken in response to a growing body of research linking higher rates of depression, anxiety and related disorders among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Australians to their experiences of homophobic and transphobic discrimination.
Research Matters: How many people are LGBTIQ?
A fact sheet b y Rainbow Health Australia
Older LGBTI people at risk of homelessness – Out of the closet, Out of Options
This report presents the information from a survey and study undertaken by Housing for the Aged Action Group regarding the housing experiences of older LGBTI people in Victoria.
My People
My people is one of the first Australian research reports detailing the experiences and needs of older LGBTI people. Although written prior to the amendment to the Aged Care Act 2012, (Inclusion of older LGBTI people as a special needs group) it provides details and perspectives of older LGBTI people and their experiences of and access to care and support.
Intersex Inclusive Aged Care Guide
This resource was developed by Val's and partners in 2014 to help improve the experiences of intersex people as they age and their access to inclusive services and support.
LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care
Specialisation Verification Framework - LGBTI+
ACAS LGBTI inclusive guide sheets [PDF 532KB]
Val's & ACAS Victoria (Aged Care Assessment Services) Victoria developed these guide sheets to provide aged care assessment practitioners and staff with succinct information about the needs and experiences of older LGBTI people accessing services.
Trans Ageing & Aged Care Project [PDF 1.3MB]
Experiences and needs of LGBT people living with dementia [PDF 363KB]
We are still gay, is one of Australia's first evidenced based studies documenting the experiences and needs of LGBT Australians living with dementia. The resource outlines the key identified issues from the research and provides suggested strategies to help meet the needs of LGBT people living with dementia.
Social connection, relationships and older lesbian and gay people [PDF 376KB]
The paper presents data and information from a small-scale study, and describes the importance of understanding social connections in the lives of older lesbians and gay men. It also highlights the need for inclusive services to ensure that social networks are supported and that health and well-being are promoted.
Exploring the experiences of GLBTI seniors in aged care services [PDF 363KB]
This 2008 report was the result of a study conducted by the Matrix Guild and Vintage Men exploring the experiences of older non-heterosexual people as recipients of aged care services and support for older people. This stage 1 report includes narratives if older LGBTI people and their experiences of aged care services.
Strategies towards the development of GLBTI friendly aged care services in Victoria [PDF 1MB]
My Story, My People [PDF 415KB]
Stories about older gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people’s experiences of aged care. Extracts from the My People study.
LGBT Later in Life [PDF 286KB]
Retirement accommodation and aged care issues for non-heterosexual populations [PDF 4.9MB]
This research report outlines Western Australian retirement and residential aged care service providers‘ practices and attitudes towards older GLBTI clients. This was used to help inform the development of best practice guidelines for the industry with the aim of providing more GLBTI-inclusive services
Radio & podcast with Val's
Val's is now regularly on Radio 3CR each fortnight - more information and episodes from 3CR
Val's has also contributed to 3 podcast episodes (episodes 14.15 &16) developed by Eastern Sector Development Team: Access and cultural safety for older LGBTI people; inclusive service delivery for older LGBTI people; Creating inclusive assessment environments for older LGBTI people.
To contact Val's you can either email us directly or call (03) 94798740