FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2018
Contact Deborah Pacyna

SACRAMENTO – The California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF) education foundation, the Quality Care Health Foundation (QCHF), will offer a free, on-demand webinar to skilled nursing employees to educate workers on the specific needs of residents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

“There are more than three million older adults in the U.S. who identify as LGBT,” said Craig Cornett, CAHF CEO/President. “This training is in line with our philosophy of delivering care that is person-centered and sensitive to the needs of all residents, regardless of sexual orientation.”  

The free, one-hour training, available during the month of July, 2018, will describe the required elements for responding to LGBT needs, discuss common terminology and challenges experienced by LGBT older adults and provide recommendations for honoring patient rights. After July 31, the webinar will be available for purchase.

“We have a legal and moral obligation to treat all residents in a nondiscriminatory manner,” said QCHF Executive Director Claire Enright, B.S.N., RN-BC, “We plan to educate caregivers about the legal and social challenges faced by aging LGBT individuals who are entering our facilities in increasing numbers.”

The training will satisfy new legal requirements that call for training for all licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants and facility medical directors. The training must take place once every two years and/or within six months of hire and be completed no later than August 1, 2018.

QCHF has collaborated with Mariposa Training and the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine (CALTCM), which represents the state’s medical directors. Attendees will receive one continuing education certificate of participation.