“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.

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