Providence Health & Services’ Post

While this article is speaking about hospice care and LGBTQ+ patient populations - and it is an important area to focus on - the tools of ongoing education and training on affirming communication skills is essential for all who care for LGBTQ+ patients. Which is all of us. Good read! https://okt.to/PwXGFR

A lack of accessible health information is a major contributing factor to poor health outcomes. We need to dismantle expectations that disable people from understanding what is happening with their body/mind. One expectation is for people to above average literacy when 44% Australians do not have the literacy to do day-to-day reading tasks. Combine that with medical jargon and those who cannot read, comprehend and utilise health information is much higher.

78% of disabled people report negative healthcare experiences, vs. 61% of non-disabled people (according to Sanofi). To close the gap, we must: - Partner with and listen to the disability community - Increase representation in leadership - Collaborate across sectors Progress is possible with empathy, accountability & commitment to equity. Disability touches all of us. Accessible systems benefit everyone. Read more in my Forbes article. https://lnkd.in/gCkdExSz

Do you have a disability? Maybe you don't even know (yet)? 'How can we rebuild trust in healthcare for disabled people?'   This is a question Caroline Casey explores in her latest article in Forbes. Reflecting on the staggering statistic that 78% of disabled individuals report trust-damaging healthcare experiences, compared to 61% of non-disabled people - it’s clear we have work to do.    Caroline's words are a good reminder: “Designing systems by consulting the disability community not only ensures the system is accessible to them, but it can also improve the experience for all.”    It’s one reason why Sanofi’s #AMillionConversations initiative is so important. The conversations we’re having with under-represented groups are helping to design a more inclusive healthcare system. For all of us.    Progress is possible when we work together and hold ourselves accountable. So if you’d like to collaborate with us on our initiative, please feel free to get in touch with me or my team: Christelle Foucault Léa Futschik    Together we can rebuild trust in healthcare, one conversation at a time.    https://lnkd.in/efFbrERV    #Healthcare #Inclusion #DisabilityRights 

#ResearchSpotlight In today’s research spotlight we are sharing the report "Assistive Technology Changes Lives: an assessment of Assistive Technology need and capacity in England.” led by #GDIhub for the Disability Unit in the Cabinet Office, November 2022 & March 2023, with the aim of informing a more integrated approach to AT provision in England. Methodology: guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) tools, the methodology involved a literature review, led by Staffordshire University, a 7,000-person survey of AT access, delivered in partnership with Opinium, and a series of focus groups and interviews with key informants inclusive of users of AT & AT professionals. Findings revealed an AT access gap of 31% of disabled people who do not have the assistive products they need to flourish, thrive, or even participate in daily life. Rich qualitative data identified themes and novel insights including; ➡ Examples of AT delivery systems and specialist services providing quality products & services that have a strong, positive impact on people’s lives. ➡Many processes were slow & stressful for users & providers alike with people waiting months - and even years - to access essential AT products. ➡AT provision was highly fragmented across the country, access greatly varied depending on a person's home or registered GP address, level of perceived need, service criteria & differing funding streams between health, education & social care. ➡There was a notable lack of joined up thinking, & missed opportunity for holistic AT delivery. Plus many, many more findings. The report findings & consequent recommendations aim to support policymakers in identifying actions to strengthen service delivery to better meet disabled people’s needs, improving outcomes for AT users and reducing inefficiencies in the current approach. To find out more from this important report, we are hosting a launch event on the 7th September to share key findings from the methodology & research, including next steps on the road to improving AT access in England. 🔗 Register for the launch event here: https://bit.ly/3qq46Yo 🔗Read the report: https://bit.ly/3qeZGDV #AT #GDIhub #Research #ResearchFindings #Data #AT #Disability #Evidence Disability Rights UK Scope British Assistive Technology Association Cabinet Office

🌈🤝Why Mymicasa? I want to address the urgent issue of the lack of inclusive policies and training within our long-term care facilities. It is disheartening to know that only 22% of senior care and nursing homes surveyed have policies explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (National Senior Citizens Law Center). This lack of inclusivity has significant consequences for LGBTQIA+ older adults residing in our communities. Without clear policies, there is a heightened risk of discrimination, harassment, and mistreatment. LGBTQIA+ individuals may face biased treatment, neglect, or denial of admission based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, the absence of staff training on LGBTQIA+ issues contributes to a lack of understanding and sensitivity towards this population's unique needs and experiences. Our staff members must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide culturally competent care and support, creating a safe and welcoming environment. Inclusive policies and training are crucial for respecting and affirming the rights and identities of LGBTQIA+ older adults. By implementing and enforcing inclusive policies and providing comprehensive training programs, we can create a safe space for all residents, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Consider the impact of the absence of LGBTQIA+ residents in your community. According to the National Resource on LGBT Aging, 90% of responders believe that LGBTQIA+ seniors would face discrimination in long-term care facilities, causing them to delay making a move. A comprehensive study by the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, Justice in Aging, and Lambda Legal found that 64% of LGBTQIA+ seniors have experienced mistreatment while residing in senior living and long-term care facilities, including verbal and physical abuse. Let's embrace inclusivity and create a welcoming community for ALL. By doing so, we can celebrate authenticity, foster belonging, and ensure that every resident can thrive with pride. According to the Williams Institute, over 7 million seniors will identify as LGBTQIA+ by 2030, making it crucial for us to address this missed opportunity and be a safe and inclusive place ALL can call home. To the 22% of communities that already have inclusive policies in place, thank you for leading the way. I look forward to collaborating with you to ensure that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has a safe and inclusive place to call home. Let's work together to champion LGBTQIA+ inclusion in our senior living communities and long-term care facilities. Together, we can create a brighter and more inclusive future. With gratitude and determination, Ken Rorabaugh Advocate, Mymicasa.org Ken.rorabaugh@gmail.com

In an era of unprecedented healthcare advancements, it is alarming that people with disabilities still face significant barriers to accessing basic healthcare services. These barriers are not just physical but also extend to communication and systemic issues that require urgent attention and reform. Many healthcare facilities are not equipped to serve patients with disabilities. The absence of ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms can make it nearly impossible for individuals with mobility impairments to receive the care they need. Ensuring that all healthcare facilities meet accessibility standards is a basic yet crucial step towards inclusivity. Some healthcare professionals still lack the training required to understand and meet the needs of patients with disabilities. This gap in knowledge can lead to inadequate care and misunderstandings. Continuous professional development and mandatory training programs focused on disability awareness and inclusive practices are essential. In a situation where many patients with disabilities are still encountering communication barriers such that patients with hearing impairments do not have access to sign language interpreters, those with vision impairments are not provided with braille materials. How well equipped are our healthcare facilities to provide care for patients living with disabilities? Addressing these issues requires more than grassroots efforts; it calls for policy reviews. Policymakers need to prioritize creating and enforcing regulations that ensure healthcare accessibility for all. This includes allocating funds to support disability-inclusive healthcare programs and services. Stories of individuals who have overcome these barriers or continue to struggle highlight the urgent need for change. Sharing these narratives can humanize the issue and rally support for inclusive healthcare reforms. Healthcare professionals must advocate for inclusive practices within their organizations. By pushing for changes in policy and practice, we can create a healthcare system that truly serves everyone. Support from healthcare leaders, policymakers, and the community at large is crucial to driving this change. Ensuring accessible healthcare for people with disabilities is not just a moral imperative but a professional and systemic responsibility. Let’s work together to break down these barriers and build a more inclusive healthcare system. Together, we can make a difference. #oluwayemisiadekunle #inclusivity #pwd

Concise content for busy nurses. In this issue, read about virtual nursing technology, dual-chamber leadless pacemakers, trauma care for LGBTQ+ patients, and more.

For #LGBTQ+ elders, there is a unique set of considerations that come with aging at home. Morningstar recently shared a helpful guide with important tips for vetting prospective home-care agencies, like asking if staff receive anti-discrimination training from an organization like SAGE. https://lnkd.in/gFvKD85b