C REATING LGBT W ELCOMING S ENIOR C ENTERS - F INDING C OMMON G ROUND SEEK 2015 Conference Presentation by Sherrill Wayland, MSW

T HE I MPORTANCE OF L ANGUAGE ● Lesbian An identity label for women who may form primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties to other women. ● Gay An identity label for men who may form primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties to other men. ● Bisexual An identity label for people who may form primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties with either men or women. ● Heterosexual identity label for people who may form primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties with people of the opposite sex. ● Transgender An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but its not limited to transsexuals and cross-dressers. We ALL have a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity !

Gender Identity Medical Construct: Patient-centered Construct: Identity begins here Gender reassignment or transitionGender affirmation Fenway Institute (2012) Identity begins here

LGBT Aging - Unique Challenges LGBT Elders face unique challenges to successful aging. ● Cumulative effects of a lifetime of stigma ● Need to rely upon “families of choice” for care and support ● Unequal treatment under laws and programs for older adults ● Less likely to seek supportive services as they age do to fear of discrimination ● Increased risk of health disparities due in part to not seeking preventative health screenings and actual or perceived discrimination within health care system Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults, retrieved on 9/6/2013

Where do LGBT older adults live? ● LGBT Adults reside in 93% of U.S. Counties ● 3.8% of adults identify as LGBT ● Estimates indicate upwards of 3 Million LGBT older adults growing to 7 Million by 2030

All older adults should be able to age in community where they live, work, and pay taxes. Guiding Principle Finding Common Ground:

W HAT IS OUR C OMMON G ROUND ?

C OMMON G ROUND S POKEN “Access to care for our seniors is St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions number one priority, and we strive to provide our services in an environment where seniors don’t have to feel invisible or fear discrimination. By partnering with SAGE Metro St. Louis for a review of our policies and procedures, we are furthering our commitment to meeting the needs of the LGBT senior community and striving to break down the barriers to quality care that exists in the St. Louis area for this segment of the population." St. Andrews Senior Solutions

C OMMON G ROUND S POKEN “Clover Care is very proud to be a part of the SAGE Referral Network in a continuous effort to uphold our ideals and beliefs that every individual is entitled to compassionate quality care without discrimination and we work hard every day to make that happen, one patient at a time.” Clover Care Durable Medical Equipment

C OMMON G ROUND S POKEN “The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter, is proud to be a part of the SAGE Referral Network. The Referral Network helps us bring our programs to families in the LGBT community who are caring for a loved one with dementia. It’s a great way for the Association to assist our diverse clients in their journey with the disease.” The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter

W HAT CAN WE DO TO C REATE W ELCOMING & I NCLUSIVE S ENIOR C ENTERS ?

RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES F OR S ERVING LGBT C OMMUNITY M EMBERS adapted from the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging - Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults: A practical Guide To Creating Welcoming Agencies

B EST P RACTICES ● DO presume your agency has LGBT clients. ● DO NOT assume you can identify LGBT individuals by appearances, experiences, or external characteristics. ● DO remember that a client’s sexual orientation and gender identity are only two aspects of a person’s overall identity and life experience. ● DO ask your clients about their sexual orientation and gender identity in a safe and confidential manner. ● DO NOT assume that treating everyone the same, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity will make LGBT older adults feel safe or welcomed.

W HAT S TEPS C AN Y OUR O RGANIZATION T AKE TO C REATE LGBT W ELCOMING S PACES ● Stay up to date on Federal, State, and Local Policy to ensure organizational compliance for inclusion of LGBT community. ● Review and update nondiscrimination policies to include sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression. ● Review Intake Forms – do they allow for self disclosure of sexual orientation, gender identity, and LGBT relationships/families? ● Maintain confidentiality of clients who disclose sexual orientation and/or gender identity ● Review marketing materials and programming to ensure inclusivity of sexual orientation and gender identity. ● Respect a persons gender identity and/or expression. ● When in doubt of a persons sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ASK, don’t assume.

W E ARE R EADY – W HAT ’ S N EXT ? Policies Updated to reflect inclusiveness & nondiscrimination. Policies communicated to staff and constituents. In-service offered to staff and community on LGBT inclusiveness.  Begin targeted outreach to LGBT Community.  Offer LGBT welcoming programs to show inclusiveness.

R ESOURCES National LGBT Aging Resource Center Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders SAGE Affiliates - 27 SAGE Affiliates across the U.S. in 20 States: CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, ME, MO, NC, NM, NY, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, UT, VA, WA, WI Center Link – List of LGBT Center in U.S.

Q UESTIONS /D ISCUSSION

A DDITIONAL A SSISTANCE Online library of resources, technical assistance and LGBT Older Adult Cultural Competency Training.