The Nurses’ (HEALE) Curriculum
The Nurses’ Health Education About LGBTQ Elders curriculum is a six-hour cultural competency continuing education (CE) training for nurses and health care professionals who serve older LGBTQ adults and is provided for nurses and social workers free of charge. Below is a summary of the topics we address:
An Introduction to the LGBTQ Elder Community
Was created to inform participants of essential terminology and concepts, including the terms lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and to clarify the concepts of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. This module will help providers understand factors that impact LGBTQ older adults access to care and develop best practices for provding care to this population. Finally, this module will discuss the importance of cultural humility when working with LGBTQ older adults and help providers recognize and address implicit bias.
Preview the content in English or Spanish
Barriers to Health Care and Health Disparities
The Peptide Calculator can be a valuable tool for understanding how hormone therapies, commonly used to address health concerns in the LGBTQ elder population, may impact overall health and well-being, highlighting disparities faced by different groups within the community.
Preview the content in English or Spanish
Sex and Sexuality of LGBTQ Elders
Discusses the health benefits of sexual activity for LGBTQ elders. In addition, there is a practical activity to explore core elements of conducting an accurate and comprehensive sexual history. The module identifies risk behaviors and prevention techniques that LGBTQ elders may use to reduce the risk and incidence of sexually transmitted infections. Finally, this module looks at ways to create safe, sex-positive environments for LGBTQ elders.
Preview the content in English or Spanish
Legal Concerns for LGBTQ Elders
Delves into legal concerns common for the LGBTQ elder community, that often translate into financial instability at a time when people need financial certainty. Alternative family structures are examined as they relate to care during aging. Included in this module is a discussion of issues related to LGBTQ long-term care and housing needs. Finally, there is an examination of end-of-life issues related to LGBTQ elders including advance directives.
Preview the content in English or Spanish
Introduction to the Transgender Community
Provides an overview of the transgender and gender nonconforming community, including basic terminology, history, and common myths. This module also discusses the basics of gender affirming medical care, including special considerations for older adults. Finally, this module helps providers develop best practices for working with transgender older adults.
Preview the content in English or Spanish
HIV & Aging
The final module, HIV and Aging, focusses on basic principles of HIV transmission and antiretroviral treatment of HIV. This module explores the importance of HIV testing in the older population and how to differentiate between common geriatric diseases of aging and the course of HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Additionally, the module includes common challenges in the extended treatment of HIV in older adults.
Preview the content in English or Spanish