Gay Seniors Gaining More Options for Retirement Communities
“Many in the LGBT community feel that their golden years is no time to be crawling back into the proverbial closet, which many feel is what would happen if they lived in any other type of community,” according to a GilbertGuide.com article. “And living in a place where specific needs and life experiences will be understood is important to all seniors regardless of sexual orientation.”
The MetLife Mature Market Institute’s 2006 “Out and Aging” report on gay and lesbian boomers found that 27% reported “great concern about discrimination as they age.” Less than half expressed strong confidence that health care professionals will treat them “with dignity and respect.” Fears of insensitive and discriminatory treatment by health care professionals are particularly strong among lesbians: 12% said they have “absolutely no confidence that they will be treated respectfully.”
The LGBT community faces difficult issues as they age. The support system isn’t always there. They are less likely to have adult children to care for them, and they may have been ostracized by family members, leaving them to contend with their own care. Without the benefit of domestic partner laws, gay couples face more red tape in securing benefits for their partners.
To see the rest of this article, check out Silver Planet.
oh i just so wish that we can already cure HIV in the next few years’;’
While there is no cure yet for HIV, fortunately the treatments have improved and people are surviving much longer than they did when the disease first raised its ugly head in the 1980′s.
Unfortunately, some have taken that to mean that we don’t need to use safe sex practices, and in some areas, the number of new cases is on the rise.
Loren Olson
I realize that senior gay men/women are suppose to have a lot of extra funds. Some of us do not so what do we do when we need help in our old age? If we are on Social Security and Medicare that will not cover much. I would like to hear some comments from others.
Loren Olson
There certainly is a myth that older gay men have a great deal of discretionary income. Some of us never had much and others didn’t manage their money well.
I wish I could have a good answer for you. One of the problems is that many gay men have little support from their families of origin, the ones we would usually expect would help out. Others do not have that support. Some of developed replacement families, “families of choice,” a circle of friends who can be helpful. Others have chosen to live in a more communal setting and share expenses. Sometimes it is necessary to turn to food pantries. Depending upon your resources, you may be eligible for some subsidized housing.
Sadly, some social service agencies discriminate against LGBT individuals and some have even discovered it was necessary to not disclose their sexual orientation when attempting to access services.
As more and more of us age into gay boomers, this problem will become increasingly prevalent. It won’t meet your needs now, but I assume that there will be more and more housing available for graying seniors as society becomes more aware of who were are and how many of us there are.
I would recommend that you seek out for a non-profit social agency dedicated to the needs of the elderly. Most urban centers have such things. Many of them also sponsor social activities that can be low-cost options for socialization.
I have dedicated on chapter in my book to this topic.
Loren Olson
If you have other ideas, send them along.
What does a gay senior do who does not have much money (just social security)? Where does that person end up when he is not longer able to care for himself. Having friends is good but there are limits of what one can ask them to do for you.
Is there housing that is not to expensive? In a safe area?
All the housing that I have seen is well over my head.
Loren’s Comment::
This a very complex and important question, and so much of the answer lies in where you live. Some urban areas have more resources that most rural areas, but even then, resources are increasingly inadequate as more and more gay boomers arrive in the category of senior citizens.
Many gay seniors do not find themselves welcome in the regular senior centers serving a largely heterosexual community. Care providers working in institutions have often been inadequately prepared to meet these unique challenges, and in some cases, are frankly quite discriminatory.
High schools, because of bullying, are developing “Gay-Straight Alliances” to help ward of mistreatment of gay youth. Perhaps we need these say alliances developed in senior communities. It is important to note that happiness for gay seniors is not contingent upon living only with gay people; it does however depend upon living in a community where the heterosexual members are tolerant and accepting.
Gay seniors who are physically and mentally fit and looking for challenges must begin to advocate for the needs of those who are less able. Remember “Grey Panthers,” the ones who originally began to stand up for the needs of the elderly? Let’s get moving on a “Gay Grey Panthers!”
Also, it is possible to find low cost alternatives to social outlets, for example, the church I attend has a game night where board games are played. Others have pot lucks and informal coffee groups. One group in Palm Springs gets together every morning to walk and then gathers for coffee.
These things didn’t just happen, they happened because someone took the initiative to get things started.
Another physician and I are working on the possibility of a mature men’s retreat in Oklahoma City, Spring, 2012. Contact me if interested.
[...] Here’s another comment from a reader that needs more attention than it might received if buried among the “comments.” It was received in response to an earlier blog entry, “Gay Seniors Gaining More Options.” [...]
[...] Another reader’s comment deserves a higher focus. It was written in response to an earlier post, “Gay Seniors Have More Options.” [...]