Changing the lived experience LGBT elders

Michael AdamsExecutive DirectorServices & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

Basic Needs and the Older Americans Act

19001910

19201930

19401950

19601970

19801990

20002010

20202030

20402050

3.0 3.8 4.7 6.4 8.7 11.7 15.6 18.6 23.3 28.2 30.8 34.548.2

63.3 67.0 69.5

0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.9 1.52.2

3.1 4.25.8

6.6

8.714.2

19.0

85+65-84

American Society is Aging Rapidly

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008

Millions of people

Total 3.1 3.9

12.39.06.6

25.520.1

16.6

72.181.2

88.5

35.040.2

54.8

31.2

4.9

today

Baby boomers

Male

Female

Distribution by Age and Sex Will Morph from “Pyramid” Shape…

1900

12%12%

11%10%9%9%

7%7%6%

5%4%

3%2%2%1%1%0%0%

12%12%

11%10%10%

9%7%

6%5%

4%4%

3%2%

2%1%1%0%0%

Age80+ 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14

5-90-4

Male Female

1970

9%10%10%10%

8%7%

6%6%6%6%5%5%4%3%2%2%1%0%

8%9%10%

9%8%

7%6%5%6%6%5%5%

4%4%

3%2%

1%1%

Male FemaleSource: United Nations 2008 (1900 only: U.S. Census 2002)

… to “Bottle” by 20302000

7%8%8%7%7%7%

8%8%8%

7%6%

5%4%3%3%2%

1%1%

7%7%7%7%7%7%7%

8%8%

7%6%

5%4%

4%3%

3%2%2%

Age

Male Female

2030

6%6%6%7%7%7%7%7%7%6%6%6%5%5%

5%4%

2%2%

6%6%6%6%6%6%6%7%6%

6%6%6%6%6%

5%4%

3%3%

Male Female

Baby boomers

Male

Female

Source: United Nations 2008 (1900 only: U.S. Census 2002)

80+ 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14

5-90-4

Economic Hardship

Increased Isolation

Competent Services

Worsened Health

LGBT Elders Basic Needs

• High poverty rates• Twice as high in lesbian

couples as heterosexuals• Higher among

transgender people, people of color

• Lifetime of discrimination

Source: Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults, Movement Advancement Project and SAGE

Economic Hardship

Increased Isolation

Competent Services

Worsened Health


• 80% of long-term care provided by family members

• LGBT older adults twice as likely to be single

• 3-4 times as likely to be without children

• Rely on families of choice


Economic Hardship

Increased Isolation

Competent Services

Worsened Health


• Lack of sensitivity to LGBT older adults

• Re-enter “the closet”• Likely to fear and delay

care from these settings


Economic Hardship

Increased Isolation

Competent Services

Worsened Health


• Less likely to report excellent or average health

• More likely to delay or not seek medical care

• More likely to abuse alcohol

• Few targeted interventions

• Transgender people at greater risk


Older Americans Act

Reauthorization, 2011

“Greatest social need”

Permanently establishing the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging

Leadership Council on Aging Organizations

Diverse Elders Coalition

Dr. Yanira CruzPresident & CEONational Hispanic Council on Aging

The benefits of coalitions and allies

Coalitions Meet Our Country’s Realities

• Over the next few decades:• An older country• A more racially and

ethnically diverse country• A generation of “out”

LGBT elders• More need for services• More votes

Coalitions Address Issues that Unify Us

• Heightened vulnerability• Health disparities across

communities• Need for cultural and

linguistic competence• Lifetimes of discrimination• LGBT elders of color

Coalitions are Smarter Approaches

• Stronger together• Tap into each other’s

political networks• Broadens “the issue”• Vulnerable elders

Authentic Partnerships

Robert EspinozaSenior Director, Policy and CommunicationsServices & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

Partnership, new media and a historic resource

SAGE makes historyRevising the federal framework

PartnershipIt’s smart. Here’s why—and how.

The web savvy elder Another demographic trend

lgbtagingcenter.orgWe can reach everyone.

What it needs to beto transcend the political moment

Vertical integrationImplementing & monitoring progress







SAGE’s 10 national partners

American Society on AgingBrookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, Hunter CollegeCenterLinkFORGE Transgender Aging NetworkGRIOT CircleThe LGBT Aging ProjectNational Association of Area Agencies on AgingNational Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior CentersOpenhousePHI







The local and national reach

629 Area Agencies on Aging246 Title VI Native American aging programs200+ LGBT community centers

Experts on housing, elders of color, urban, ruralExperts on training & evaluation

40 million older adults, age 65 and older1.5 million LGBT older adults, age 65 and older







Benefits of partnership

Conveys collaboration

“LGBT” at center of the Aging Network

Taps into the networks of field leaders

Broader reach

Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-110

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

Total Visitors Total Visits Total Page Views













• Training and technical assistance nationwide

• Aging providers & LGBT organizations

• Online webinars and educational information

• Social media avenues• Population doubling

Sherrill WaylandExecutive DirectorSAGE Metro St. Louis

Connecting the local to national

“John Doe” • Age: 72

Separated from partner of 22 years

Transferred from Texas to St. Louis

SAGE Metro St. Louis, Tower Grove Manor

SAGE Metro St. Louis

SAGE Advocates grant

Constituent-led advocacy initiative

Training of advocates nationwide in NYC

SAGE Advocates (2010):1. Chicago2. Denver3. New York4. St. Louis5. Washington, DC

SAGENet

SAGE Metro St. Louis

State advocacy

PROMO

Non-discrimination and date collection

SAGENet

“John Doe” • Age: 72

Lives in LGBT-welcoming environment

Discussed Obama’s Hospital Visitation Rights

Legal documents, partner visitation rights

Supportive State Attorney General’s Office

Changing the lived experience LGBT elders

Documents

Transcript of Changing the lived experience LGBT elders