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GLBT Aging in MAine. In their own words… John Hennessy AARP Maine June 8, 2012. Glbt aging in a changing world. “Harold” “Mary & Jean” Understanding and meeting the needs of GLBT elders in Maine - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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