049. How the Coalition for Aging LGBT is bridging the gap between LGBT seniors and communities

A survey by the Coalition for Aging LGBT found that 95% of the LGBT senior community said their number one concern was housing. It’s a challenge for the LGBT community to find senior living largely due to fear of discrimination. In turn, many will go back into the closet at a time in their lives they should be able to be themselves. The Coalition for Aging LGBT works to Improve and protect the quality of life of older LGBT adults in North Texas for health, housing, advocacy, financial security, and social services - giving back to a generation that had to fight for their rights and the status quo.

Senior Services Expert Lori Williams welcomes Founding Board Member, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Housing Committee Robert Emery, along with Executive Director Dr. Diane E. Thornton, to discuss:

- The research the Coalition for Aging LBQT has conducted around North Texas senior living

- Cultural training and process improvements in 17 senior communities in Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin counties

- Their senior housing guide resource

- Tips for being more inclusive in everyday conversation

And more.

Topics discussed:
- LGBT seniors
- Senior communities
- Microaggressions
- LGBT housing and advocacy
- North Texas assisted living
- LGBT-inclusive practices

 

Takeaways from this episode:

- The Coalition for Aging LGBT assessed 17 senior living communities in Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin counties on policies, procedures, programs and competency training to create the LGBT-Friendly Senior Housing Guide.

- The coalition did a survey in 2013 and discovered 95% of the LGBT senior community said their number one concern was housing.

- Many LGBT seniors worry about getting home help and being treated fairly and if they would be welcome as they are in an assisted living facility.

- Simple practices - like adding “Partnered” to an entry form for marital status and adding “I prefer not to answer” or “ask me later” to gender - help enhance inclusivity.

- When unsure about someone’s gender, ask which pronouns they prefer. Avoid asking “What are you?”

- Most LGBT seniors don’t wish to be in LGBT-only housing. They want to be in the world and interact with a variety of people who are also culturally competent.

About the Coalition for Aging LGBT:
www.cfa.lgbt
www.facebook.com/CFALGBT

Resources mentioned in this episode:

On-line North Texas LGBT-Friendly Senior Housing Guide: https://www.cfa.lgbt/2018-2019-housing-guide.html

Check out this great article:  

https://www.dallasvoice.com/episcopal-ministry-donates-80k-to-lgbt-organizations/

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1412386/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.8ca9f715-9f23-6313-a6c8-d0cb5fb86c8e?ref_=imdbref_tt_wbr_pvc_cinemax&tag=imdbtag_tt_wbr_pvc_cinemax-20

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