Changing the lived experience LGBT elders

Michael Adams Executive Director Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) Basic Needs and the Older Americans Act

American Society is Aging Rapidly Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 Millions of people Total today

Baby boomers Male Female Distribution by Age and Sex Will Morph from “Pyramid” Shape… 1900 Age Male Female 1970 Male Female Source: United Nations 2008 (1900 only: U.S. Census 2002)

… to “Bottle” by Age Male Female 2030 Male Female Baby boomers Male Female Source: United Nations 2008 (1900 only: U.S. Census 2002)

Economic HardshipIncreased Isolation Competent ServicesWorsened 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 HardshipIncreased Isolation Competent ServicesWorsened Health LGBT Elders Basic Needs 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 Source: Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults, Movement Advancement Project and SAGE

Economic HardshipIncreased Isolation Competent ServicesWorsened Health LGBT Elders Basic Needs Lack of sensitivity to LGBT older adults Re-enter “the closet” Likely to fear and delay care from these settings Source: Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults, Movement Advancement Project and SAGE

Economic HardshipIncreased Isolation Competent ServicesWorsened Health LGBT Elders Basic Needs 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 Source: Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults, Movement Advancement Project and SAGE

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 Cruz President & CEO National 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 Espinoza Senior Director, Policy and Communications Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) Partnership, new media and a historic resource

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress SAGE’s 10 national partners American Society on Aging Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, Hunter College CenterLink FORGE Transgender Aging Network GRIOT Circle The LGBT Aging Project National Association of Area Agencies on Aging National Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers Openhouse PHI

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress The local and national reach 629 Area Agencies on Aging 246 Title VI Native American aging programs 200+ LGBT community centers Experts on housing, elders of color, urban, rural Experts on training & evaluation 40 million older adults, age 65 and older 1.5 million LGBT older adults, age 65 and older

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress Benefits of partnership Conveys collaboration “LGBT” at center of the Aging Network Taps into the networks of field leaders Broader reach

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress Training and technical assistance nationwide Aging providers & LGBT organizations Online webinars and educational information Social media avenues Population doubling

SAGE makes history Revising the federal framework Partnership It’s smart. Here’s why—and how. The web savvy elder Another demographic trend lgbtagingcenter.org We can reach everyone. What it needs to be to transcend the political moment Vertical integration Implementing & monitoring progress

Sherrill Wayland Executive Director SAGE 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.Chicago 2.Denver 3.New York 4.St. Louis 5.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

Q&A