Abstract
This qualitative study was conducted to assess how senior care facilities are responding to LGBT older adults in rural communities. While reviewing previous literature, the following themes were found: discrimination and health disparities, families of choice and social support, challenges in rural communities, and cultural responsive services. This study interviewed seven social workers and one social work designee. Seven of the participants worked at rural nursing homes and one participant worked at a rural assisted living in Minnesota. Many of the results were also found within previous research. The major themes include: limited diversity in rural settings has slowed progress towards implementing changes, staff strengths with LGBT older adults, potential barriers with staff and other residents, addressing concerns of staff and non-LGBT residents, and resident to resident harassment would be handled the same regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Implications of this study are integrated into how they relate to social work policy, practice and research.