Inclusive Intake Process & Forms

As one of the first points of contact with a new resident, intake forms can set the tone for inclusion at a new senior housing community.  Unfortunately, most intake forms tend to exclude important categories to the LGBT residents related to gender and relationship status. In this way, most communities unknowingly project at atmosphere of indifference to their potential LGBT residents, if not outright exclusion, before they’ve even completed their application forms. Forms need to include language that allows for gender identity and sexual orientation information. Please see the example intake form language.

Instead of

Name: _______________________

Use

Legal Name: _____________________
​Preferred Name (if different): _____

---

Instead of

[   ] Male
[   ] Female

Use

[   ] Male
[   ] Female
[   ] Transgender
​     [   ] Male-to-Female (MTF)
​     [   ] Female-to-Male (FTM)
[   ] Other

---

Instead of

[   ] Single
[   ] Married

Use

[   ] Single
[   ] Married
[   ] Partnered
[   ] Domestic Partnered
[   ] Widowed
[   ] Other

---

Instead of

Family Contact: ___________

Use

Family of Choice Contact: _______
​Family of Origin Contact: ________

---

Instead of

Most intake forms do not include this type of question.

Use

Preferred Pronouns:
[   ] She/Her
[   ] He/Him
[   ] They/Them
​[   ] Other

TAKING THE NEXT STEP
During the admission process, be sure to ask the preferred name and pronouns of the resident. It is always better to ask questions than to assume someone’s gender. You may ask how that person “self-identifies.” If you have provided a safe place to communicate, they will feel safe giving you all that you need to take the very best care of them.

Be sure to have a policy in place requiring staff to know and use the preferred name and/or pronouns of residents in a way that is always HIPAA-compliant. These practices should be included in all staff trainings, especially the orientation of new staff, to be sure that the dignity of the resident is maintained at all times. As with other policies, there should be explicit consequences for staff who abuse this policy or are disrespectful in its upholding.

FURTHER ADVICE FOR COMMUNITIES UPDATING THEIR INTAKE FORMS
Although many forms are standardized for admission into Medicare-licensed communities, it is possible to change those forms to be more inclusive or to add addendums to this affect. (Our team members are available if you need assistance with policy or intake form language). For corporate communities, intake processes and forms may be developed and implemented at the corporate level. We recommend discussing with your corporate office the importance of these inclusive forms for building upon your community core values. This process may take longer, but it is worth it to improve the care of so many LGBT residents across multiple communities.