Understanding the Needs of LGBTQ+ Elders and Ensuring Access to Care-Webinar

During this webinar, we will hear from advocates from SAGE, one of the nation’s oldest and largest organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ elders. The panelists will discuss the history and challenges facing LGBTQ+ elders, the role of advocacy in improving access to safe and affirming care, and the steps organizations can take to better reach out to and meet the needs of the community through their services.

The vast majority of LGBTQ+ older adults have lived through decades of discrimination. This has led to a disruption in their lives, their connections with their families of origin, their lifetime earnings, and their opportunities to save for retirement. LGBTQ+ elders face higher rates of poverty and social isolation, and poorer health outcomes than their non-LGBTQ+ peers, but research suggests that they are less likely to access aging network services and providers, senior centers, meal programs, and other entitlement programs because they fear discrimination or harassment if their sexual orientations or gender identities become known. A lifetime of experiencing discrimination has made many LGBTQ+ elders wary of contacting health care professionals and aging service providers.

Aging service providers need to be aware of the history and life experiences that have shaped the lives of LGBTQ+ elders to understand how to best meet their needs. The special challenges facing this community must be kept in mind and adequately addressed when designing and providing services for older adults.

This program has been submitted but not yet approved for Continuing Education for 1.0 total participation hours by NAB/NCERS.

To receive continuing education credit for LeadingAge PA-sponsored webinars, attendees must register under their name, participate through the link supplied after registering and complete the evaluation after the webinar.

We are pleased to offer this webinar at no charge to our members. Non-member rate is $80.