The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting the Needs of Older Adults who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender (LGBT)

Abstract

There are growing numbers of older individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) who are in need of health care services provided by culturally and clinically competent providers, including occupational therapists. The LGBT community presents with unique needs and circumstances that impact occupational therapy (OT) practice. This Opinions in the Profession article presents an overview of the unique narratives of and special considerations for LGBT older adults that the OT profession needs to address to meet the needs of this population and improve our service delivery. We assert essential implications for OT practice and education to better support the needs of LGBT older adults and strategies for occupational therapists to promote culturally and clinically competent care and serve as agents of change in practice.

Keywords

• sexual orientation
• cultural humility
• cultural competence