Recent Initiatives Focus on Understanding and Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ Older Adults in Long-Term Care

There are currently 1.1 million adults 65 and older who identify as LGBTQ. Furthermore, 1 in 5 LGTBQ older adults are Black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), which creates additional layers of potential discrimination based on racial bias, in addition to discrimination centered around sexual orientation and gender identity.[1]

According to the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) 2021, a recently published report by SAGE[2] and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, about 5% of people living in long-term care communities identify as LGBTQ.[3] The report – the first “nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusivity and inclusion at long-term care communities[4] – explains that LGBTQ older adults might remain silent when entering a long-term care community due to “a lifetime of discrimination and continued fear.” In addition to these lifelong challenges, three-quarters (76%) of LGBTQ older adults are concerned about having proper social support to rely upon as they age.

The LEI report recommended that long-term care communities adopt policies in four key areas to improve LGBTQ inclusion. Those policies are: (1) developing written foundational policies and practices to ensure legal protections for LGBTQ residents and staff; (2) adopting inclusive resident services and support including gender-affirming policies; (3) ensuring LGBTQ staff, like residents, receive equal treatment and access to health-related benefits and policies; and (4) publicly demonstrating commitment to the LGBTQ community, such as having a booth at a local Pride festival or writing a letter in support of pro-LGBTQ legislation.

In line with the recommendations made in the LEI report, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), a not-for-profit home- and community-based health care organization, has launched its own initiative to help ensure that LGBTQ older adults have an inclusive environment and receive care that is appropriate for the needs of their community. “LGBTQ+ Care Type” – VNSNY’s newly launched care delivery model tailored to the LGBTQ community – will aid in identifying appropriate health care screening and education efforts, will provide care planning information, will collect and analyze data, and will provide additional services tailored to LGBTQ needs. Additionally, VNSNY clinicians and staff have received training from SAGE on working with LGBTQ communities.

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[1] SAGE. Long-Term Care Equality Index 2021. (2021). Available at: https://www.sageusa.org/lei/
[2] Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) is the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults.
[3] SAGE. Long-Term Care Equality Index 2021. (2021). Available at: https://www.sageusa.org/lei/
[4] SAGE. Human Rights Campaign and SAGE Release First Edition of the Long-Term Care Equality Index. (June 28, 2021). Available at: https://www.sageusa.org/news-posts/sage-hrcf-release-lei-2021-report/