Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

LGBT elders raise serious fears about long term care facilities
From news releases, posted April 5, 2011
2011-04-06

This article shared 5725 times since Wed Apr 6, 2011
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email


( Washington, April 5, 2011 ) - A majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) older adults who answered a national online survey believe that staff of long-term care facilities would discriminate against an LGBT elder who was open about his or her sexual orientation, and more than half believe that staff or other residents would abuse or neglect an LGBT elder.

Released today, the groundbreaking report - LGBT Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities: Stories from the Field - utilizes survey results for the first glimpse into some of the issues faced by LGBT older adults in long-term care facilities. Of the 769 individuals who completed the survey, 328 people reported 853 instances of mistreatment in such facilities. The survey, conducted from October 2009 through June 2010 did not use a representative or scientific sample, but includes hundreds of personal comments offered by the respondents, ranging from reports of staff harassment to staff refusals to provide basic services or care.

Of the 769 individuals who completed the survey, 284 identified themselves as LGBT older adults. Others said they were family members, friends, social service providers, legal services providers, or other interested individuals.

"Unfortunately, we are hearing far too frequently, all across the country, from LGBT seniors who are forced into isolation for fear of being mistreated if they are out. And from older LGBTcouples who are forced back in the closet when one of them is in long-term care facilities," said Hayley Gorenberg, Lambda Legal Deputy Legal Director. "This report should shock our nation into action. As we continue to make great strides for equality, we cannot leave our elders behind."

"Our hope is that this report provokes thought, raises critical questions, and compels future systematic research that can be used to dive deeper into the issues raised by these findings and the many personal stories we received," says National Senior Citizens Law Center Executive Director Paul Nathanson.

"Administrators and staff members at long-term care facilities should see this report as a wake-up call. An extraordinary eighty-nine percent of respondents - from across the country, from a variety of backgrounds - assert that LGBT people cannot come out in a nursing home without risking their safety," said National Center for Lesbian Rights Elder Law Project Fellow Daniel Redman, Esq. "Better policies, more comprehensive training, and an aggressive litigation strategy are all needed to bring the nursing home industry into the 21st century. As the report asserts: 'Good care is possible.' By following the report's recommendations and taking affirmative steps to make facilities LGBT-inclusive, long-term care facilities can do a lot to make their services welcoming to all seniors."

"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders remain a highly vulnerable and largely invisible aging population," says Laurie Young, a specialist on aging and the director of Public Policy & Government Affairs at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "We know that invisibility leads to greater social isolation, which can lead to increased vulnerability in many areas, such as the discrimination faced in long-term care institutions. This report highlights the issues faced by LGBT older adults in long-term care facilities and offers concrete recommendations on how aging advocates, policy makers, providers and social service agencies can meet them."

"In SAGE's experience, LGBT older adults often fear that they will encounter providers who might be uncomfortable with, or even hostile, towards them, untrained to work with them or unaware that they even exist. Even when providers are supportive, fear of discrimination keeps many LGBT elders in the closet and prevents them from seeking the care they need," said Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE. "This speaks to a great need for training on cultural competency and LGBT aging issues, available through outlets such as the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, for staff at long-term care facilities."

Some of the comments point to possible violations of federal nursing home law, while others signify that far more training and awareness by staff is needed in addition to enhanced consumer awareness . The report also points to a wide array of policy remedies that could be enacted to support LGBT elders better and improve the facilities where they reside. The report's recommendations are directed toward policymakers as well as long-term care providers.

The survey, website and the report were prepared by the National Senior Citizens Law Center in collaboration with Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders ( SAGE ) . Survey results, comments and personal videos from LGBT older adults can be found as well as profiles of the authors at www.LGBTLongTermCare.org .

LGBT Elders Raise Serious Fears about Long-Term Care Facilities

( San Francisco, CA, April 5, 2011 ) --A majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) older adults who answered a national online survey believe that staff of long-term care facilities would discriminate against an LGBT elder who was open about his or her sexual orientation, and more than half believe that staff or other residents would abuse or neglect an LGBT elder. Released today, the groundbreaking report--LGBT Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities: Stories from the Field--utilizes survey results for the first glimpse into some of the issues faced by LGBT older adults in long-term care facilities. Of the 769 individuals who completed the survey, 328 people reported 853 instances of mistreatment in such facilities.

The survey, conducted from October 2009 through June 2010, did not use a representative or scientific sample, but includes hundreds of personal comments offered by the respondents, ranging from reports of staff harassment to staff refusals to provide basic services or care. Of the 769 individuals who completed the survey, 284 identified themselves as LGBT older adults. Others said they were family members, friends, social service providers, legal services providers, or other interested individuals.

The survey, website, and the report were prepared by the National Senior Citizens Law Center in collaboration with Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders ( SAGE ) .

"Administrators and staff members at long-term care facilities should see this report as a wake-up call," said National Center for Lesbian Rights Elder Law Project Fellow Daniel Redman, Esq. "An extraordinary 89 percent of respondents--from across the country, from a variety of backgrounds--assert that LGBT people cannot come out in a nursing home without risking their safety. Better policies, more comprehensive training, and an aggressive litigation strategy are all needed to bring the nursing home industry into the 21st century. As the report asserts, 'Good care is possible.' By following the report's recommendations and taking affirmative steps to make facilities LGBT-inclusive, long-term care facilities can do a lot to make their services welcoming to all seniors."

Said National Senior Citizens Law Center Executive Director Paul Nathanson: "Our hope is that this report provokes thought, raises critical questions, and compels future systematic research that can be used to dive deeper into the issues raised by these findings and the many personal stories we received."

Some of the comments point to possible violations of federal nursing home law, while others signify that far more training and awareness by staff is needed, in addition to enhanced consumer awareness. The report also points to a wide array of policy remedies that could be enacted to support LGBT elders better and improve the facilities where they reside. The report's recommendations are directed toward policymakers as well as long-term care providers.

"In SAGE's experience, LGBT older adults often fear that they will encounter providers who might be uncomfortable with, or even hostile, towards them, untrained to work with them or unaware that they even exist," said SAGE Executive Director Michael Adams. "Even when providers are supportive, fear of discrimination keeps many LGBT elders in the closet and prevents them from seeking the care they need. This speaks to a great need for training on cultural competency and LGBT aging issues, available through outlets such as the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, for staff at long-term care facilities."

Said Laurie young, a specialist on aging and the Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: "Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender elders remain a highly vulnerable and largely invisible aging population. We know that invisibility leads to greater social isolation, which can lead to increased vulnerability in many areas, such as the discrimination faced in long-term care institutions. This report highlights the issues faced by LGBT older adults in long-term care facilities and offers concrete recommendations on how aging advocates, policy makers, providers and social service agencies can meet them."

Added Lambda Legal Deputy Legal Director Hayley Gorenberg: "Unfortunately, we are hearing far too frequently, all across the country, from LGBT seniors who are forced into isolation for fear of being out and vulnerable or older LGBT couples who are forced back in the closet when they visit their loved one in long-term care facilities. This report should shock our nation into action. As we continue to make great strides for equality, we cannot leave our elders behind."

Survey results, comments and personal videos from LGBT older adults can be found, as well as profiles of the authors, at www.LGBTLongTermCare.org .

###

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.NCLRights.org

The National Senior Citizens Law Center is a non-profit organization whose principal mission is to protect the rights of low-income older adults. Through advocacy, litigation, and the education and counseling of local advocates, we seek to ensure the health and economic security of those with limited income and resources, and access to the courts for all. For more information, visit www.NSCLC.org.

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. www.LambdaLegal.org

Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders ( SAGE ) is the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults. SAGE has pioneered programs and services for the aging LGBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for LGBT older people across the country, and provided a national voice on LGBT aging issues. In 2005, SAGE became the first official LGBT delegate at the White House Conference on Aging. In 2010, SAGE was awarded a three-year $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging to seed the creation of the nation's only National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. Learn more at www.SAGEUSA.org and www.LGBTAgingCenter.org.

The National Center for Transgender Equality is a social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment. www.TransEquality.org

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force builds the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) community by training activists, equipping state and local organizations with the skills needed to organize campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and building the organizational capacity of the movement. As part of a broader social justice movement, the Task Force works to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. www.TheTaskForce.org


This article shared 5725 times since Wed Apr 6, 2011
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

One Roof Chicago launches youth-focused workforce development program 2024-03-14
- One Roof Chicago (ORC) is set to launch its first training, education and job placement program for LGBTQ+ young adults in late spring. This Community Health Workers and Elder Care program is a part of ORC's ...


Gay News

Aging LGBTQ+ Americans face additional caregiving challenges 2023-09-07
- While Darcy Connors was a nursing home administrator in the South, she also operated a COVID-19 recovery center. Connors and her staff noticed that two of the patients in their charge had a strong connection with ...


Gay News

Queer elders reflect on their time in an evolving LGBTQ+ community 2023-06-21
- Community members of all ages gathered at Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave., the evening of June 15 to hear stories from five senior members of the LGBTQ+ community. The standing room only event was hosted by ...


Gay News

SAGECollab launches to expand services, advocacy, engagement to support LGBTQ+ elders nationally 2023-02-10
--From a press release - [New York, NY] Today, SAGE, the world's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, announced the launch of SAGECollab, its new innovative partnership model. SAGECollab ...


Gay News

Chicago activist Jeff Berry discusses advocacy for aging persons living with HIV 2022-12-08
- For longtime Chicago activist Jeff Berry, becoming the first executive director of the Reunion Project—a national alliance centering aging persons living with HIV, which Berry co-founded in 2015—was a significant ...


Gay News

Their stories: Chicago scholar focuses their work on LGBTQ+ seniors 2022-12-08
- When we think about how LGBTQ+ age, helping people feel connected and "seen" is just one of the many ways a community can care for LGBTQ+ elders. It can contribute to their mental health as they ...


Gay News

Donald Bell reflects on aging and intersectional identities 2022-12-07
- Longtime Chicago activist Donald Bell, a resident of the Town Hall apartments in Lake View who has been especially active in LGBTQ+ senior-related issues is keenly aware of the the significance of intersecting identities. Bell explained, ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted hosts health resource event for LGBTQ+ seniors 2022-11-11
- Center on Halsted hosted How to Plan for your Changing Health Needs, a Senior Citizen Resource Fair with a particular focus for members of the LGBTQ community on Nov. 8. A host of representatives from medical, housing ...


Gay News

QPOC and transgender elders become focus of grad school student's master's thesis 2022-11-02
- When we think about how LGBTQ+ age, helping people feel connected and "seen" is just one of the many ways a community can care for LGBTQ+ elders. It can contribute to their mental health as they ...


Gay News

N.Y. governor signs bill that helps LGBTQ+ seniors 2022-10-30
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law making New York the latest state to expand the accessibility of services to LGBTQ+ people ages 60 and older—a demographic that is disproportionately affected by poverty ...


Gay News

AIDS Foundation Chicago hosts two-day event about unique challenges facing elders living with HIV/AIDS 2022-09-24
- AIDS Foundation Chicago hosted a two-part educational webinar about the complex needs of elders living with HIV/AIDS Sept. 22-23, where experts discussed how to better serve patients through healthcare, policies ...


Gay News

Illinois HIV Care Connect introduces its HIV and Aging Campaign 2022-09-15
- In advance of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day on Sept. 18, Illinois HIV Care Connect has introduced its HIV and Aging Campaign. Persons aged 50 and older make up nearly half of persons living with ...


Gay News

LGBTQ+-inclusive program for seniors receives Aging Innovations Award 2022-08-02
- AgeOptions' Thrive with Pride program for LGBT+ older adults recently received a 2022 Aging Innovations Award, one of the highest honors presented by USAging to its members. USAging is the national association representing and supporting the ...


Gay News

Staffers, older LGBTQ+ residents establish ties at The Admiral at The Lake 2022-08-02
- Before Ken Irvine moved to the senior living community The Admiral at The Lake, he was an expert at maneuvering conversations so people wouldn't find out he was gay. ...


Gay News

Simmons introduces measure for statewide senior residents' council 2022-02-26
-- From a press release - SPRINGFIELD—In an effort to support seniors and provide them with greater access to the resources they rely on, Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) initiated a measure that will create the Senior Housing Residents' Advisory Counc ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.