CREATING LGBTWELCOMING SENIOR

CENTERS - FINDING COMMON GROUND

SEEK 2015 Conference

Presentation by

Sherrill Wayland, MSW

THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE● Lesbian An identity label for women who may form

primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties to other women.

● Gay An identity label for men who may form primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties to other men.

● Bisexual An identity label for people who may form primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties with either men or women.

● Heterosexual identity label for people who may form primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties with people of the opposite sex.

● Transgender An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but its not limited to transsexuals and cross-dressers.

We ALL have a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity!

Gender Identity

Medical Construct:

Patient-centered Construct:

Identity begins

here

Gender reassignment or transition Gender affirmation

Fenway Institute (2012)

Identity begins

here

LGBT Aging - Unique ChallengesLGBT Elders face unique challenges to successful aging.

● Cumulative effects of a lifetime of stigma

● Need to rely upon “families of choice” for care and support

● Unequal treatment under laws and programs for older adults

● Less likely to seek supportive services as they age do to fear of discrimination

● Increased risk of health disparities due in part to not seeking preventative health screenings and actual or perceived discrimination within health care system

Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults, www.lgbtmap.org, retrieved on 9/6/2013

Where do LGBT older adults live? ●LGBT Adults reside in

93% of U.S. Counties●3.8% of adults identify

as LGBT●Estimates indicate

upwards of 3 Million LGBT older adults growing to 7 Million by 2030

All older adults should be able to age incommunity where they live, work, and

paytaxes.

Guiding PrincipleFinding Common Ground:

WHAT IS OUR COMMON GROUND?

COMMON GROUND SPOKEN

“Access to care for our seniors is St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions number one priority, and we strive to provide our services in an environment where seniors don’t have to feel invisible or fear discrimination. By partnering with SAGE Metro St. Louis for a review of our policies and procedures, we are furthering our commitment to meeting the needs of the LGBT senior community and striving to break down the barriers to quality care that exists in the St. Louis area for this segment of the population."

 St. Andrews Senior Solutions 

COMMON GROUND SPOKEN

“Clover Care is very proud to be a part of the SAGE Referral Network in a continuous effort to uphold our ideals and beliefs that every individual is entitled to compassionate quality care without discrimination and we work hard every day to make that happen, one patient at a time.”

Clover Care Durable Medical Equipment

COMMON GROUND SPOKEN

“The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter, is proud to be a part of the SAGE Referral Network. The Referral Network helps us bring our programs to families in the LGBT community who are caring for a loved one with dementia.  It’s a great way for the Association to assist our diverse clients in their journey with the disease.”

The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter

WHAT CAN WE DO TO CREATE WELCOMING & INCLUSIVE SENIOR CENTERS?

RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES FOR SERVING LGBT COMMUNITY MEMBERS

adapted from the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging - Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults: A practical Guide

To Creating Welcoming Agencies

BEST PRACTICES●DO presume your agency has LGBT clients.

●DO NOT assume you can identify LGBT individuals by appearances, experiences, or external characteristics.

●DO remember that a client’s sexual orientation and gender identity are only two aspects of a person’s overall identity and life experience.

●DO ask your clients about their sexual orientation and gender identity in a safe and confidential manner.

●DO NOT assume that treating everyone the same, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity will make LGBT older adults feel safe or welcomed.

WHAT STEPS CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION TAKE TO CREATE LGBT WELCOMING SPACES

● Stay up to date on Federal, State, and Local Policy to ensure organizational compliance for inclusion of LGBT community.

● Review and update nondiscrimination policies to include sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression.

● Review Intake Forms – do they allow for self disclosure of sexual orientation, gender identity, and LGBT relationships/families?

● Maintain confidentiality of clients who disclose sexual orientation and/or gender identity

● Review marketing materials and programming to ensure inclusivity of sexual orientation and gender identity.

● Respect a persons gender identity and/or expression. ● When in doubt of a persons sexual orientation, gender

identity/expression, ASK, don’t assume.

WE ARE READY – WHAT’S NEXT?

Policies Updated to reflect inclusiveness & nondiscrimination.

Policies communicated to staff and constituents.

In-service offered to staff and community on LGBT inclusiveness.

Begin targeted outreach to LGBT Community.

Offer LGBT welcoming programs to show inclusiveness.

www.lgbtagingcenter.org

RESOURCES

National LGBT Aging Resource Centerwww.lgbtagingcenter.org

Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexualand Transgender Elders www.sageusa.org

SAGE Affiliates - 27 SAGE Affiliates across theU.S. in 20 States: CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, ME, MO, NC, NM, NY, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, UT, VA, WA, WI

Center Link – List of LGBT Center in U.S.www.lgbtcenters.org

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE

Online library of resources, technical assistance and LGBT Older Adult Cultural Competency Training.

www.lgbtagingcenter.org