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In 2023, the General Assembly amended Title 16, Rights of Residents, to recognize cultural differences and preferences. This training introduces the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults.

Participants will learn the definition of terms such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and others. After this introduction to useful terminology, participants will contextualize the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults through case studies and videos of real individuals, to understand why some LGBTQ+ older adults may choose not to come out. Designed for staff working in nursing care or other residential care settings, participants will learn about the unique needs of LGBTQ+ older adults. Participants will receive an overview of the various rights and protections extended to LGBTQ+ residents and learn other best practices for creating communities welcoming to LGBTQ+ older adults, their loved ones, and their caregivers.

After attending this training, participants will:

• Gain useful terminology
• Receive an overview of the various rights and protections extended to LGBTQ+ residents
• Learn other best practices for creating communities welcoming to LGBTQ+ older adults,
  their loved ones, and caregivers
• Get connections to local and national resources

1.o total participant hour is being requested from NAB and the Delaware Board of Nursing

Presenter:

Zahra Somani, Master of Teaching with SAGECare LGBTQ+ Aging Cultural Competency

ABOUT ZAHRA SOMANI: Zahra is a former Secondary Religious Education Teacher with a Master of Teaching and a Master of Arts in Muslim Societies and Civilizations from the University of London. During her 13-year career, Zahra has taught over 1,200 secondary students in England, Dubai, Kenya, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US. Zahra’s experiences have led her to a career in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her current research projects include: exploring gender role expectations in South Asian women and their impact on well-being and relationships; and exploring the role of sexual communication in sexual minorities including LGBTQ and poly relationships. Zahra’s goals are to drive discussions at the intersection of religion, culture, sex, and sexuality, create spaces for therapeutic conversations in South Asian and Muslim communities, provide tools and resources so individuals can live authentically and feel fulfilled in their relationships, and add to the body of culturally conscious material for mental health professionals to use in their practice.