April 24, 2008

Gray and Gay

2.8 million - GLBT Americans are over age 65. 

5 million - GLBT American seniors are projected by 2030.

90% - of GLBT individuals do not have children, a primary source of caregiving in later life.

80% - GLBT individuals do not have a life partner, also a primary source of caregiving in later life.

For GLBT seniors, the idea of entering a nursing facility may invoke strong fear and anxiety resulting in intensified isolation, guilt, secrecy, and the hiding of personal identity. Others may rely on luck as to whether their health care wishes and decisions are followed and their needs are met when accessing long term care. Going back "into the closet" or hiding their lifestyles, including those who are close to them, is a common act for GLBT seniors accessing services.

Vital aging is often attributed to the support networks of an individual. Within the GLBT community, support networks are often different than that of their heterosexual counterparts.

Nearly 90% of GLBT seniors do not have children and nearly 80% do not have a life partner, which are the two primary sources of caregivers in later life. GLBT seniors who are single have significantly smaller support networks; and most GLBT seniors' support systems are not recognized legally. GLBT seniors may be less likely to be linked to their biological families than their heterosexual counterparts, which is often the first resource identified by service providers. Beginning to think outside of the historically traditional family structure is necessary to provide effective services to GLBT elders.

The following legal and financial concerns represent some of the unique challenges GLBT seniors face:

• Most public and private health insurance programs do not recognize same sex partners for receiving family coverage.
• GLBT seniors are not provided access to Social Security benefits of their partners.
• GLBT seniors are not protected by spousal impoverishment guidelines with respect to Medicaid benefits.
• Unless a specific will is created, GLBT seniors do not have access to the estate when their partner dies.

What is desired by most GLBT older adults is inclusion in a community setting with members of their cohort, which will allow true expression of identity. Similar to heterosexual elders, most GLBT older adults would like equal care and treatment, recognition of their partnerships and support networks, honest health communication, and respect.

Christa Peters, MS, earned a Masters in Gerontology from the University of Indianapolis. She is available for consultation and training on GLBT aging issues. You can reach her via e-mail at ChristaRPeters@yahoo.com or at (219) 384-0332.

Web resources for GLBT aging issues

Understanding and Caring for Lesbian & Gay Older Adults: Frontline Worker Sensitivity Training: This training package, developed by CJE SeniorLife professionals, contains everything needed to conduct a one-hour sensitivity session for frontline workers who assist older people who live in a facility or in their own homes. The highly participatory training teaches diversity, respect, and quality of care regardless of sexual orientation. $25 + $3.50 s/h

Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE): World's oldest and largest non profit organization dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender senior citizens through advocacy, services, and programs.

Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network (LGAIN): A constituent group of the American Society on Aging that works to raise awareness of the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender elders regarding access to healthcare, housing, long term care and other needed services.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF): Promotes civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons through grassroots organization, research and policy analysis.

"Aging, Gay and Facing Prejudice in Twilight" was the subject of an October 2007 story in The New York Times.

News from the aging arena

Aging Research Translator -- Want to incorporate the latest research into your planning and services, but don't have the time to locate the research or decipher the academic language it's written in? Check out the Aging Research Translator offered by Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging.

• GERO 510 - Aging Individual in Society & Community*
• GERO 560 - Economics and Aging*
• GERO 582 - Environment and Aging

Events to note

"It's About the People" is the theme of the 2008 Hoosier Home Care, Hospice and HME Conference, which will take place April 29-May 1 at the Marriott East Conference Center in Indianapolis. For more information or to register, please visit www.iahhc.org.

Two-day "Conferences on Ministry with the Aging" will be held in Columbus, Indiana on May 6-7 and in Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 8-9  to provide education and inspiration for clergy, chaplains, lay persons, health care and retirement professionals, social workers, and others involved in caregiving or some other form of ministry with older adults. The events have been approved for CE credits through the Indiana Board of Health Facility administrators and historically approved as a Category I continuing education provider for LSW/LCSW/LMFT/LMHC. For more information, contact Phyllis Hawkins at Baptist Homes of Indiana, Inc. at (317) 873-3371, x105 or via e-mail at phawkins@baptisthomesofin.com.

Fourth Annual Games for Health Conference will be held May 8-9, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pre-conference workshops will be held on May 7. For more information, visit http://www.gamesforhealth.org.

As part of its ongoing IN Place series, the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community is pleased to announce the next IN Place event.

"Brain Fitness"

Presented by Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH
Director of Research Operations, Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia
Scientist, Indiana University Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc.

Thursday, May 15, 2008
8:00-10:00am 

Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community Center
Laikin Auditorium
6701 Hoover Road  Indianapolis, Indiana

This presentation is hosted by our partners at ElderSource and Elder-Friendly Communities.

Continental breakfast will be provided. There is no charge to attend this event, but reservations are requested. Please RSVP by May 9, 2008 to Stephanie Black at (317) 791-5930 or blackst@uindy.edu.

Grants to go for

Caregiver/Informal Care Grants -- Community-based agencies are invited to submit RFPs for The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Family and Informal Caregiver Program. Twelve to 230 grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 per year for up to three years will be awarded. These grants will provide critical resources necessary to support caregivers in innovative ways and facilitate partnerships among agencies and organizations. Deadline to submit RFPs is June 12, 2008. For more information, visit www.hjweinbergfoundation.org or e-mail CaregivingRFP@theweinbergfoundation.org.