Right at Home Supports LGBTQ+ in the community

Caring for the LGBTQ+ community

At Right at Home Maidenhead, we proudly support, celebrate and advocate equality and diversity. We are dedicated to promoting inclusivity across our organisation, whether that be for our Clients or staff and strongly believe in setting an inclusive example through embedding equality and diversity into our values. As such, we have taken several initiatives to promote inclusion, particularly for our Clients and staff from different communities and backgrounds. 

To enable our team to deliver bespoke support, each of our CareGivers is provided with specialist training that educates and informs them on LGBTQ+ history, culture, demographics and issues. This unique training enables our CareGivers to deliver truly unique and person-centred care to our Clients.

Key issues facing older LGBTQ+ individuals 

Older people who identify as LGBTQ+ did not grow up in a time when same-sex marriage was legal and were often estranged from close family, as well as not being afforded the opportunity to have their own children. This created a sense of isolation for many, and often homecare providers can provide vital companionship to alleviate this.

Far too many have faced verbal and physical homophobic abuse in the past, creating a need for CareGivers who can offer them a safe and friendly environment. Something simple, such as referring to a person by their chosen pronouns can make a huge difference in their care. 

Loneliness and abuse also mean that many older LGBTQ+ people have battled substance abuse, and our care and support can help to aid their recovery by giving them new outlooks and helping them attend beneficial activities. 

Our companionship services range from meeting for a coffee to accompanying Clients on holiday. We suggest activities based on the Client’s interests and champion that age should never stop people from doing what they enjoy. 

Dementia care for LGBTQ+ Clients 

We often support Clients living with dementia. Everyone experiences the challenges of dementia in their own unique way and for those who are LGBTQ+, living with dementia can bring other additional challenges. Some of the symptoms of dementia can have particular implications for LGBTQ+ people. For example, memory problems can make it harder for an individual to remember who they have told about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Dementia can also impact a Client's short-term memory and, for LGBTQ+ Clients, it can mean that they regress to a less tolerant time when being homosexual was illegal or not openly discussed. 

We aim to maximise our Clients’ independence and include them in all daily tasks. Not only does this keep them engaged and support their independence but it also helps to build a strong bond with their CareGiver. This bond is particularly important for Clients living with dementia, as they may not remember ‘coming out’ (a significant moment in any LGBTQ+ person’s life) and need to feel that they are in an environment where it is safe and comfortable to ‘come out’ again. That is why our inclusive care services recognise the importance of Clients’ gender identity and sexual orientation.