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Our Mission of LGBT Senior Housing and Care is to build capacity across sectors in providing LGBTQ+ cultural humility, sensitivity and competency training to elder care service and housing providers and to support the financial opportunities of LGBTQI elders by training them to present this work.
Our Vision LGBT Senior Housing and Care provides individualized LGBTQ+ cultural humility, sensitivity and competency training programs for older adult housing and care communities, service providers and their staff, employees, contractors, residents and community members, aligns companies and their facilities with best practice protocols, implements LGBTQ+ welcoming communications strategies and programs across platforms and collateral materials, fosters strategic partnerships with LGBTQ+ professional services, healthcare providers and advocacy organizations, and provides resources and opportunities for continuing education related to the needs of the LGBTQ+ older adult community.
LGBT Senior Housing and Care works with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Ally, and LGBTQ+advocates, and collaborates with local and national LGBTQ+ and Aging stakeholders to create and implement models of best practice in housing and care services for LGBTQ+ seniors of all economic levels, race, religions, and cultures and to advocate for, implement and share this model across the aging services field.
Our History In 2016, a long term care and senior living community in New Jersey completed an innovative LGBTQ+ cultural competency training program provided by SAGECare, of SAGE USA the largest LGBTQ+ older adult advocacy organization in the U.S. The senior living leadership then requested information on next steps they should take to implement what they had learned at their facility. Upon further research it was realized that no protocols for best practices existed in LGBTQ+ senior care for communities, care providers, or service agencies. Hence, the LGBT Senior Housing and Care group was formed.
The Need Seniors are one of the most marginalized groups in our culture. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQ+) seniors are the most vulnerable of this group, especially when it comes to health care services and safe, welcoming housing and care opportunities. There are currently 2.4 million LGBTQ+ people in the United States 65 years and older. By 2030, that number is expected to grow by 50%. (The Williams Institute) LGBTQ+ elders are less likely to have close family to rely on in aging, face discrimination in housing, are less financially secure, and face an array of unique barriers and inequalities that stand in the way of a healthy and rewarding later life. Stigma, discrimination and fear have been cited as major contributors and roadblocks to these essential services for LGBTQ+ seniors. (LGBT Elders in Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care Facilities and Residential Communities)
LGBT Senior Housing and Care's name is meant to be an inclusive acronym to refer to the entire LGBTQIAA community. The term Queer was used in the past as a derogatory term for both Lesbian and Gay persons. Consequently, older adult LGBTQIAA persons and allies assigned the term Questioning to Q to represent those persons who remain unclear about their sexual orientation or identity. Today, Queer is being reclaimed by younger LGBTQIAA persons as a term of empowerment. As, LGBT Senior Housing and Care service is focused on the older adult community, out of deference to them the Q was not included in the company's name.