Mennonite College of Nursing making steps for LGBTQ seniors

Photo courtesy to Illinois State University News

NORMAL, Ill.- Area nurses can explore care for aging LGBTQ populations with a workshop at Illinois State University.

ISU is making progressive steps for those populations that are overlooked and discriminated against.

The Nurses Health Education About LGBTQ Elders Curriculum workshop will be Thursday, March 26, at the Alumni Center. Sessions run from 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

“LGBTQ seniors face fear of discrimination, especially daunting when faced with end of life care or residential placement,” said Associate Professor of Nursing Erin Reitz of the Mennonite College of Nursing.

“LGBTQ seniors are much more likely to need residential care, and a lot of our residential care units are operated by religious entities who may have an issue with the LGBTQ behavior. They are in a much tighter situation,” said Reitz.

In this workshop, modules will include barriers to care, including sex and sexuality in older LGBTQ adults, care for aging trans-identified individuals, HIV and aging.

The workshop can be counted for six education credits, designated through Rush University Medical Center.

Registration is required for the event.