 prior to setting up for Baton Rouge Pridefest. The trip wouldn't have been complete without a trip up to the Capitol's observation deck and a look at the pencil left in the ceiling from the 1970 bombing. SAGE CenLa: Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders
Aging is a natural part of life and can bring many wonderful rewards to all of us. However, it is also true that, especially in our ageist and youth-oriented society; aging brings with it many challenges. Almost all seniors face diminished health, loss of friends and family, and post retirement reduction of income. Depending on the individual circumstances in question, these hurdles can be quite severs and each can exacerbate the other.
For the estimated three million GLBT seniors in the United States, these challenges are even more complex. For example, isolation and loneliness is particularly prevalent in the GLBT senior population. Unlike their heterosexual counterparts, GLBT seniors often can lack traditional family support structures. Although support from friendship circles and families of choice has been very important, this has been weakened as a result of the wave of gay men lost to HIV in the last twenty-five plus years. In part, as a result of these factors, GLBT seniors can be more depend
ent on institutional support and programs as they age. However, fears of discrimination and even abuse make GLBT seniors significantly less likely than other seniors to actually access such critical health, social and human services than their non-GLBT counterparts.
Just as the American population in general is growing older, so too are diverse populations. By 2040, demographers tell us approximately one out of five Americans will be 65 or over and about four million elders will be gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual. Most older adults have mutual concerns about adequate income, health, and family roles/social support, but with GLBT older adults, there are additional impacts in each of these areas.
In relation to income, the Gay and Lesbian Task Force reports that gay men may earn as much as 27% less than heterosexual men. Lesbian and heterosexual women have fewer income differences between them, as opposed to men. However, since on the average, women earn less than men, women's amounts of retirement income can also remain low. In each case, this income difference obviously impacts Social Security benefits, since retirement benefits are based on wages earned. In addition, continued institutional discrimination also affects Social Security benefits. For example, since there is no legal recognition of same-sex partners, survivor benefits are not paid either by Social Security (or private retirement pensions in many cases), and the death benefit is also affected since a partner is not considered a surviving spouse. With health concerns, accessing a partner's retirement or survivor health benefits can be prohibited due to the narrow view of biological family. Many hospitals and nursing homes continue to have barriers that allow only visits by legal spouses and blood relatives and turn only to them for crucial decisions. Moreover, care institutions may prevent partners from living together or expressing any affection without negative repercussions. Even funeral arrangements may be conflictual as partners can be barred or excluded.
Continued cultural oppression may affect family ties and strain them, cutting off avenues of support for an older person. On the other hand, family support function may be augmented or even superceded by "families of choice": close, long-lasting friendship relationships. Moreover, these networks of support may stay very stable and supportive as people age.
Why SAGE?
We are SAGE: Since its inception in 1978, SAGE has pioneered programs in the GLBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for GLBT elders across the country, and provided a national voice on GLBT aging issues. Social and Community Services
SAGE CenLa offers a comprehensive array of services that assist frail LGBT Elders age with a greater degree of safety in their own homes for a longer period of time. We also strive to promote a safer and more inviting atmophere for LGBT elders in assisted living and long-term care facilities through continuing education programs for management and staff. Our programs include:
Visit our blog: SAGE Louisiana LGBT News Feed
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