GLBT AGING

IN MAINEIn their own words…

John HennessyAARP MaineJune 8, 2012

GLBT AGING IN A CHANGING WORLD “Harold” “Mary & Jean” Understanding and meeting the needs

of GLBT elders in Maine Policy makers and researchers have

largely ignored issues of aging in the GLBT community, whose members are expected to exceed 4 million by 2030.

How to integrate GLBT Older Mainers into Aging Policy and Practice

GLBT AGING IN A CHANGING WORLD “Noncategoricals” vs “”Uncategorized” Gray, Gay and Worried (NYT 9/30/10) Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in

Twilight (NYT 10/9/07 For Many Older Gays, a Toll of Time and

Isolation (NYT 9/12/11) Positive vision for successful aging for

GLBT elders in Maine The urgency of this movement has

never been greater

GLBT DEMOGRAPHICS

The Graying of America 2000 – 35m 65+ (12% US pop.) +8% 1950 2030 – 70m 65+ (20% US pop.) +100% 2000

The “Gaying” of America According to the LGBT Aging Project: 10,000 people turning 65 each week.

PROJECT OVERVIEW Transform the landscape on GLBT Aging

in Maine Statewide Community Needs

Assessment Community Focus Groups (Portland,

Lewiston and Bangor) Report Network Readiness Survey

Health Care PractitionersService Providers

PARTNERS Maine Association

of Area Agencies on Aging

Frannie Peabody Center

ME Gerontological Society

Maine Transnet Long Term Care

Ombudsman Program

UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine

UNECOM Q Med Club

Vogel & Dubois Equality Maine Martin’s Point Doug Kimmel,

PhD

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT Health Care

Access Legal Services Long Term Care Violence,

Victimization and Criminal Justice

Interpersonal Violence

Service Needs and Use

Social and Mental Health

Spirituality Community

Issues Demographics

WHAT WE HEARD GLBT Boomers are much like the rest of

the population Concerned about aging, unable to care

for themselves, becoming sick or disabled, outliving their income and being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

GLBT is a benefit. Provider does not “approve” of my

lifestyle.

WHAT WE HEARD The presumption of heterosexuality. Personal experience. It is critical that my PCP is gay positive,

beyond gay friendly! Geographic isolation is a significant

barrier to health care.

WHAT WE HEARD Transgender and gender non-conforming

folks are more likely to experience barriers to health care.

Many GLBT seniors in Maine are tough while others are at risk.

There is a sense of a lack of culturally competent providers.

Being long term HIV+ has it’s own rewards and challenges.

My doctor is straight, but flawless.

GLBT AGING CHALLENGES

All people are vulnerable as they age – GLBT folks face the additional stigma of homophobia/transphobia.

Many are no longer partnered, without children, estranged from family supports.

Mainstream research ignores GLBT seniors.

Families not recognized under law. Faith & Religion

GLBT AGING CHALLENGES

Specific services or outreach. We need programs to keep GLBT folks

involved in their communities. Health Disparities – tobacco, alcohol,

disabilities, cardiovascular disease, HIV Not being out.

LONG TERM CARE Most haven’t thought about or planned

for. Many staff in LTC are GLBT. My biggest worry – LTC and sexuality. Can’t imagine LTC as a trans person. Never planned to got old re: HIV+ The prospect of going back in the closet

is making me ill.

EMERGING ISSUES, INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

NEXT STEPS Network Readiness Survey Staff training is essential. People who fear discrimination need

reassurance before they access services in order to make it through the agency door.

When clients reveal GLBT identity, address the whole person and their situation. Do not assume that being GLBT is a problem in itself.

Start a SAGE chapter in Maine.

WHERE WE’VE BEEN LGBTQ Symposium 2007:

Strengthening Community, Building Alliances (Create new models of living communities for GLBTQ people as the age.)

5th Annual University of Maine Geriatric Colloquium – April 2010 Sexuality and Aging: Dispelling the Myths

THANK YOUEdie & Thea