LTC facilities must extend spousal rights to same-sex married couples, CMS proposed rule states

Many older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults residing in long-term care facilities do not feel safe being open about their sexual identities, experts say. They might fear that caregivers or other residents may be uncomfortable or hostile toward them. Many also have avoided healthcare providers in the past, which might have led to undiagnosed or chronic conditions.  

To help educate providers about the issues faced by LGBT individuals living in long-term care facilities, in August the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging released an online learning tool titled, “Building Respect for LGBT Older Adults.” Offered free of charge, the tool was developed with input from several advocacy groups, including the National Center for Transgender Equality, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. 

The new tool consists of six 10-minute training modules, which include video testimonials, quizzes and other information on how to make long-term care settings more inclusive, safe and welcoming for this resident population.

More than 1.5 million adults over age 65 consider themselves gay, lesbian or bisexual, a number expected to hit nearly 3 million by 2030. Estimates also indicate that hundreds of thousands of older adults identify as transgender.