Safe to Be You with Right at Home GF

Safe to be you 

Right at Home are a compassionate organisation. We believe in delivering the same care and support to all regardless of personal identity, sexual orientation or gender. We have long practiced an inclusive attitude towards care provision and employment; however, we recognise that there is more than can and should be done to support LGBTQ+ people. 

Positive support program: Living with the experience of dementia and LGBTQ+

Assessing needs: 

Following an assessment in which the client has advised they identify as LGBTQ+ and have also been confirmed as living with the experience of dementia, Right at Home employees will work closely with the client and their support network to prepare a holistic care plan and plan ahead. This forward planning ensures people receive effective support and continue to be surrounded by the family of their choice. 

Progression

As dementia progresses, the person is more likely to remember older memories than more recent ones. The person’s experience may be that they are living in an earlier time in their life. This may include positive experiences that helped shape their identity, such as feeling a sense of acceptance or belonging after coming out.

However, time-shifting may mean that some LGBTQ+ people believe that they are living in a time when they had to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity for fear of negative consequences. They may relive experiences of negative attitudes or distressing life events such as arguments with members of their family of origin. This can be very difficult for the person and have a big impact on how they feel and interact with other people. However, Right at Home understand this and will always work to support people to be comfortable. 

Accessing services

Right at Home want everyone to feel comfortable to access services but we understand that this can be frightening and there may be reluctance to do so. People may be worried they have to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identify or having to hide it. 

People may be worried that personal care will be an intrusion into personal life and the thought of strangers coming into their homes may be uncomfortable. There may also be fears about being lonelier and being unable to access communities of choice in the same way they had been accessed in the past. 

Right at Home understands that this can be a daunting scary time but has a wealth of knowledge in relation to dementia, we understand how important it is to access services so the right care and support can be provided. We also understand the importance of making decisions sooner rather than later. 

Right at Home reaffirms its commitment to be a service which is fully inclusive and LGBTQ+ aware. We will always work to understand clients’ needs and past experiences to develop support which people feel safe and comfortable with. 

Championing Rights 

LGBTQ+ people may feel worried that receiving care may expose them to negative attitudes, hostility, rejection or abuse. Right at Home will protect people from all discrimination and will champion the legal rights of LGBTQ+ people at all times. Right at Home have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and have clear complaints policies in place designed to protect all people. 

Discrimination 

It is illegal for anyone to discriminate against others due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Right at Home will ensure that this extends to visitors and support structures already in place so people can continue their life as close to normal as possible. 

Trans rights 

A trans person does not have to disclose their information to the wider care and support team, while this information is useful in creating a fully personalised care and support plan it would be kept confidential. This is protected by the General Data Protection Regulations, specifically a trans status is classed as sensitive personal data. If a person has applied for a gender recognition certificate and choose not to disclose this, they are also protected by the Gender Recognition Act 2004. 

Next of kin 

People often believe the term next of kin means blood relative, husband or wife etc. This is not the case, as in the UK next of kin can be anyone. Those closest to clients have the right to be consulted about their treatment and care. For example, if you are in a same-sex relationship and not married, this would apply to your partner. Right at Home always discuss this when completing an assessment and would always follow the wishes of a person 

Equality 

Right at Home believes equality means different things to different people, it means people have the right to be who they are and express their sexual orientation, gender identity and relationships. We don’t expect any clients to feel they have to hide who they are when receiving care. 

Planning ahead

There may be a time in the future when clients living with the experience of dementia are no longer able to make their own decisions. Right at Home understands that it is difficult to think about the future but knows that doing this early can be reassuring. It is important to make significant decisions now so client’s choices and wishes can be respected. 

It is important to think about these things now as this will allow people to live the way they want knowing that their wishes and choices will be respected and the people closest to them can continue to be involved. 

Right at Home will signpost and support with the following: 

Lasting power of attorney 

This is a legal document which gives another person the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf, if a client feels their family will not act in their best interests or do what they want someone can be appointed to make these decisions, this can be anyone they choose, for example this could be a partner or a close friend. 

Advance decision 

An advance decision is a legal document that sets out in advance any decision about medical treatments people don’t want to receive in certain situations. For example, someone may decide not to have a blood transfusion or that they don’t want to be resuscitated in certain circumstances.

Advance statement 

An advance statement is a tool that can be used to record wishes and preferences for the care a person wants to receive in the future. It is not legally binding but should be considered in decision-making as far as possible.

Gender recognition certificates 

This legally recognises the gender a person identifies as, if they meet certain criteria, and gives them the legal right to be treated as a person of that gender.

Right at home will recognise and respect the gender identity of all clients receiving care. People are also legally protected from discrimination regardless of legal gender recognition status. 

Practical aspects associated with transitions and medical needs. 

Right at Home will complete a full and holistic assessment of clients care and support needs, this assessment will consider sexual orientation and gender identity. This assessment will support clients to describe how they want their support provided and things which are important to them. 

Create a will

Wills are important documents for LGBTQ+ people living with the experience of dementia, a will is legally binding and provides instructions about who gets possessions following death. This could be ensuring that these go to family of choice rather than original families. A will also documents what sort of a funeral a person wants, and how they want their body treated. 

If you would like to learn more about how Right at Home's homecare services and how they can help you are a loved one, why not call us on 01252 783426 and speak to one of our care managers? They will be able to answer any questions you might have.

Related articles:

https://www.rightathome.co.uk/guildford-and-farnham/ https://www.rightathome.co.uk/guildford-and-farnham/the-services-we-offer/