Aged Care Research(May 2013)

This abstract summarizes a recorded interview with Michal Boyd regarding research on aged care for Rainbow people in New Zealand. Michal Boyd, a nurse practitioner with Waitemata Health and an academic at the University of Auckland, discusses the largely invisible narrative of elder care for the Rainbow community, especially those in residential aged care facilities. As societal norms have shifted following the Stonewall riots and with increasing numbers of openly gay and lesbian individuals entering old age, there is a growing need to address the unique care requirements within aged care facilities.

In the interview, Boyd recounts experiences and attitudes towards sexuality and aging, highlighting the generational differences in openness and the challenges faced by the Rainbow elderly. Many in this demographic have been fully out and active within the community, a stark contrast to previous closeted generations. Boyd touches upon the pervasiveness of ageism and how sexuality, wrapped up in identity, is often not discussed in senior care environments, leading to a lack of acknowledgment and support for Rainbow individuals.

Boyd also discusses the stark contrast between staff members' professional attitudes towards non-heterosexual elderly and their own personal beliefs - there is concern as to whether personal homophobia can wholly be left outside the workplace. A particular focus is on witnessing the discrimination faced by Rainbow elderly from other residents and, to some extent, from the staff, due to ingrained societal homophobia and cognitive issues leading to disinhibition.

The interview covers research in Australia and collaborative efforts in policy development, seeking to integrate cultural education on Rainbow issues into aged care. This involves creating guidelines and educational tools to equip staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide supportive and non-discriminatory care.

Amid the discussion, Boyd mentions various collaborations with other researchers, the involvement of organizations like Outline NZ and the Rule Foundation, which provide crucial funding and advocacy on behalf of the Rainbow community. Boyd hopes to see integration of guidelines into policy, reflecting the now widely accepted stance against racism and ageism, proposing a future where homophobia is similarly addressed and unacceptable.

Boyd personally anticipates a future where community diversity reflects in aged care, with a mix of straight, gay, lesbian, transgender individuals together, living with dignity and respect. The goal is a society and aged care infrastructure adapted to accommodate and respect the Rainbow community, ensuring that the changes in personal rights and societal acceptance translate into care practices for the elder generation.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Michal Boyd

2010s, age concern new zealand, ageing, ageism, auckland, auckland district health board (adhb), australia, caregiver, civil unions, closeted, community, culture, discrimination, education, elder care, elder issues, elders, family, funding, gary bellamy, gay, glbti retirement association inc, grey power new zealand, homophobia, identity, incontinence, invisibility, jan wilson, lavender islands: portrait of the whole family (2003), lesbian, mark henrickson, marriage, michal boyd, mobility, older age, outline nz, peer support, policy, relationships, research, residential care, rest homes, rule foundation, sexuality, stephen neville, stephen park, stonewall riots (1969), transgender, united states of america, university of auckland, valscafe.org.au, we don't have any of those people here (2010)

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