Policy recommendations to increase lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusiveness among Massachusetts assisted living communities

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20281065

There is fear among LGBT aging adults that moving into an assisted living community will require them to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT aging adults fear assisted living communities will not offer an inclusive environment that would make them feel safe and accepted. Research literature suggests several factors that have the potential to increase safe and welcoming environments for LGBT aging adults. Of those factors, creating cultural competency through education and training within an assisted living community was paramount. However, there is a knowledge gap of what best practices an assisted living community could implement in order to increase inclusiveness of LGBT aging adults. Using a multiple case study approach, this study examined three assisted living communities, including one LGBT-specific community to identify best practices.