LGBTQ Elders: Open Discussion

An open roundtable style discussion on LGBTQ aging topics in partnership with Silver Bridge Consulting

Chat Transcript

15:08:52     From Patti Hutton : Good afternoon, nice to see everyone. Good to see you Jennifer!

15:09:38     From Patti Hutton : previous chat is from Patti Hutton, Director of Marketing with Residences at Vantage Point, Columbia, MD.

15:09:45     From Kirstan Fuller : Hi Jennifer! So good to see you!

15:11:14     From Jan Brito  to  Hosts and panelists : We can't see ginger

15:11:50     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community  to  Jan Brito and all panelists : she is sitting right next kristy

15:12:03     From Jan Brito  to  Hosts and panelists : Only see 1/4 of her

15:12:30     From Joi Grieg  to  Hosts and panelists : Use of the word 'queer' may turn some of us off FYI.  Even with your explanation, I don't find it affirming at all.

15:12:34     From Jan Brito  to  Hosts and panelists : Maybe it's my phone

15:12:43     From Laura Byer  to  Hosts and panelists : What is the I?

15:14:50     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Silver Bridges was purpose-built to be a beacon of clarity among what is often a chaotic season of life. We provide our clients with in-depth expertise, compassionate empathy and exceptional service. https://www.silverbridgesconsulting.com/

15:14:58     From Dan Stewart : Hi all, thank you for your visibility, knowledge sharing, and work. I am Dan Stewart (he/him), deputy director of The Aging Equality Project at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. I am a proud gerontologist, Latine, indigenous transgender man who has dedicated his career to improving access to dignified, informed, and respectful care as we age. thank you for hosting this conversation!

15:16:38     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : LGBTQIA is an abbreviation for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex,, asexual/aromantic/agender." The “A" in LGBTQIA may also refer to “ally" or “allied," meaning someone who does not identify as LGBTQIA but supports those who do.

15:20:34     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Finding an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Long-Term Care Community https://thelei.org/consumer-guide

15:21:15     From David Brown : Sage and HRC are great resources!  We completed the LEI at Edenwald Senior Living in 2023.  Thank you, Dan.

15:21:16     From Dan Stewart  to  Hosts and panelists : https://www.hrc.org/resources/long-term-care-equality-index

15:21:41     From Dan Stewart : https://www.hrc.org/resources/long-term-care-equality-index

15:21:45     From Jan Brito : Jan Brito, Associate Broker, Capital Senior Solutions, specializing in helping older adults through late in life move transitions. jan.brito@compass.com, 301-646-5774, capitalseniorsolutions.com

A Positive Aging Champion

and LGBTQ Ally

15:23:21     From Laura Byer  to  Hosts and panelists : I was raising my hand to say I can be on screen

15:26:02     From Patti Hutton : Residences at Vantage Point, Columbia has been SageCARE certified since 2019. A great organization we're proud to partner with.

15:35:00     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Gen Silent https://www.theclowdergroup.com/gensilent

15:35:04     From Laura Byer  to  Hosts and panelists : I would love to get your thoughts on if you perceive the Community Villages to be LGBTQIA+ friendly

15:35:39     From Melissa Long : https://www.insightmcc.org/get-involved/events/event_calendar.html/event/2024/02/14/who-s-in-your-circle-/463967

15:36:02     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Who's In Your Circle? https://www.insightmcc.org/get-involved/events/event_calendar.html/event/2024/02/14/who-s-in-your-circle-/463967

15:38:22     From Kirstan Fuller  to  Hosts and panelists : Can you say the name of the Pastor in Alexandria again?

15:38:58     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Through its programs, services and resources, the national Village to Village Network empowers Villages in formation, energizes functioning Villages, serves as a Village commons to connect its members, and champions the Village model as a leading best practice for healthy and vibrant aging. https://www.vtvnetwork.org/

15:39:16     From Melissa Long : Dawn Jefferson

15:39:33     From Laura Byer : Anecdotally I have understood that the villages skew very white

15:40:20     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Anonymous Attendee 03:31 PM 

Are the challenges of eldercare for this community similar to those of elder-orphans?

Dan Stewart 03:37 PM 

There are similarities with solo agers and LGBTQ+ older adults especially in terms of. LGBTQ+ older adults are 2x as likely to be single and 4x less likely to have kids. Similarities in isolation risk and the need to ensure advance directives are completed (usually have non-blood family of choice who may not be legally recognize in decision making withouth an advance directive). LGBTQ+ elders however do have a lifetime of stigma and discrimination.

15:40:37     From Joi Grieg : Silver Spring Village has a LGBTQ group that meets 1-2 times a month.  Some on Zoom, some in person.

15:41:29     From Laura Byer : Thanks — great to know

15:42:50     From Kirstan Fuller  to  Hosts and panelists : Seabury Resources for Aging, Out and About Program. We have quarterly events and other programs. I'm working with outreach and like everyone else I'm trying to increase participation with my programs.

15:43:10     From Alice FISHER  to  Hosts and panelists : I am a member of the board of OutstandingLife, a virtual senior center for LGBTQA+ , originated in greater Boston MA, but open to members throughout the country

15:43:12     From Bonnie Kawecki : I live in Charlestown in Catonsville MD, one of the Erickson communities.  Erickson is working hard on DEI issues including LGBT+.  The Sales and other documents info have a rainbow heart on them. Also in my community we are trying hard to be inclusive.  The Sales dept refers potential residents our LGBT+ resident club. We have a slowly growing number of gay residents moving in.  There is of course anti-trans talk happen, but gay resistance appears to be negligent. Erickson pursues SAGE certification, but I understand during covid when staffing became very challenging, SAGE certification took a back seat. We need to get that back on the plate.  At Charlestown we meet once a month.  About half the time we outside speakers. We have a bunch of gay pride activities in June and at other times. We have shown Gen Silent 2x. In our Group we use TED talks from LGBT+ speakers

15:43:21     From Laura Byer : I would love to know from Kristy and Ginger if they have found many friendly places for this community to age

15:43:51     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Kirstan Fuller 03:43 PM 

Seabury Resources for Aging, Out and About Program. We have quarterly events and other programs. I'm working with outreach and like everyone else I'm trying to increase participation with my programs.

15:44:47     From Kirstan Fuller : Hi Jennifer!!!

15:51:29     From JOYCE DIMMOCK : This was so informative and hearing from so many will be helpful when dealing with one of my residents.  Thank you for this gift. Ginger and Kristy are diamonds! Thank you all fpr sharing your best practices!

15:51:33     From Molly Price : Ginger & Kristy-Do you find there are queer couples retiring together in senior living communities? I work in senior living but on the corporate side so I'm intrigued by your comment on something as simple as form fills.

15:52:10     From Joi Grieg : Ingleside has several couples I'm aware of.

15:54:14     From ann johnson  to  Hosts and panelists : I came in late, do Ginger and Kristy run a company?

15:55:13     From Steve Gurney - ProAging Community  to  ann johnson and all panelists : yes ann here is their website https://www.silverbridgesconsulting.com/about-us/

15:55:17     From Ginger Noce & Kristy Kennedy  to  Hosts and panelists : HI Ann- We do.  It’s called Silver Bridges Consulting.

15:56:07     From ann johnson  to  Hosts and panelists : thank you Steve

15:56:24     From David Brown : We have had staff,residents, and even visitors come forward once we started our DEIB and once we completed the LEI.  They realized they were in a safe space.

15:57:06     From Jan Brito : Excellent discussion. Thanks Steve and panelists

15:57:16     From Dan Stewart : https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/

The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center focused on improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults, their families and caregivers.

15:57:38     From Kathryn Barrett  to  Hosts and panelists : Thanks for an informative discussion.

15:59:23     From Patti Hutton : Thanks for this excellent discussion. great format.