Celebrating LGBTQ+ Older Adults during Pride Month
Pride Month is observed throughout June, and dedicated to commemorating and celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) community. For older adults who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Month is an important time to celebrate their identities, reflect on their journeys, promote intergenerational understanding and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
Facts on LGBTQ+ Aging
There are an estimated 2.4 million LGBTQ+ adults over the age of 50 in the United States. This number is expected to double by 2030 (1).
Research has shown that LGBTQ+ individuals have higher rates of health challenges. Studies have found they are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions and early onset disabilities compared to heterosexual individuals (2).
Two-thirds of older LGBTQ+ individuals believe that they will need someone to provide caregiving in the future, and eight out of ten individuals say they are not sure if they will have adequate family or social support in their later years (3).
21% of LGBTQ+ older adults provide care for friends compared to only 6% of heterosexual older adults (4).
Nearly one-half (47%) of LGBTQ+ older adults have a disability, 31% of those individuals report having depression and 53% report having feelings of loneliness (5).
88% of LGBTQ+ older adults say they would feel more comfortable with long-term care services where the staff has been trained to meet needs of LGBTQ+ patients (6).
34% of LGBTQ+ older people worry about having to hide their identity to access long-term care facilities or senior housing (7).
Despite these challenges, LGBTQ+ older people are pioneers and models of resilience who have fought for equality and change for the LGBTQ+ community and future generations. At Via Benefits, we believe that inclusion and diversity is essential and fundamental to everything we do. We take pride and support our colleagues, clients and retirees of all identities while advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity now and in the future.
Sources:
Choi, Soon Kyu, et al. "LGBT Aging - Williams Institute", Williamsinstitute, Aug. 2016, https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbt-aging/.
Kates, Jennifer, et al. "Health and Access to Care and Coverage for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Individuals in the U.S. | KFF" Kff, 3 May. 2018, https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/health-and-access-to-care-and-coverage-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-individuals-in-the-u-s/.
Cantave, Cassandra. "Dignity 2022: The Experience of LGBTQ Older Adults" AARP, Jun. 2022, https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/life/info-2022/lgbtq-community-dignity-2022.html.
"Retirement Guide For LGBTQ+ Americans – SAGE" Sageusa, 27 Oct. 2020, https://www.sageusa.org/news-posts/retirement-guide-for-lgbtq-americans/.
Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Kim, H.-J., Emlet, C. A., Muraco, A., Erosheva, E. A., Hoy-Ellis, C. P., Goldsen, J., Petry, H. (2011). The Aging and Health Report: Disparities and Resilience among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults. Seattle: Institute for Multigenerational Health.
Houghton, Angela. "Maintaining Dignity: A Survey of LGBT Adults Age 45 and Older" AARP, Mar. 2018, https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/life/info-2018/maintaining-dignity-lgbt.html.
"Facts on LBGT Aging" SAGE & National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, https://www.sageusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sage-lgbt-aging-facts-final.pdf.