As Americans age, many consider moving to retirement homes where they can have easy access to resources they need such as cleaning services, cafeteria’s, clubhouses, and more. But for aging LGBTQ+ Americans, feeling safe in these communities can make or break the experience. As a result, in recent years senior living communities and retirement homes for aging LGBTQ+ individuals have been on the rise.
According to SAGE – an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ elders – senior members of the LGBTQ+ community still face threats of discrimination in these environments that are meant to be safe. The organization estimates that by 2030, there will be approximately 7 million LGBTQ+ identifying people in the U.S. who are 50 or older.
In addition, a recent report from the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance found that more than 70% of their older members said they believe it’s harder for LGBTQ+ people to choose retirement communities than it is for straight people.
“When people are at their most vulnerable, they never should have to experience violence or discrimination,” Sherrill Wayland, senior director of special initiatives at SAGE told Realtor.com. Retirement homes and elderly living communities offer the benefits of a like-minded community along with other perks, and elderly LGBTQ+ people can use resources to find a community that works best for them.
Realtor.com reports that SAGE has compiled a list of communities that have opted to be named publicly as Long-Term Care Equality Index participants. This means participating communities meet all of SAGE’s criteria for non-discriminatory policies and training. The list is a collaboration between SAGE and the Human Rights Campaign, which publishes a Corporate Equality Index every year to hold companies accountable for their diversity responsibilities.
Other resources are also available to aging LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones, including Assisted Living Magazine, which has a guide to LGBTQ+ senior living communities throughout the country.
“When it comes to marginalized groups, senior living is an area that is still far behind, and there’s not enough communities out there,” said Jeremy Clerc, CEO and co-founder of Assists, a platform that helps families and seniors navigate senior living.
Despite rollbacks on DEI initiatives across the country thanks to the Trump Administration, Senior Housing News reports that senior living communities are stepping up their efforts to become more inclusive. These communities are rewriting and updating policies on discrimination, seeking independent accreditation for workforce training and inclusivity, and restructuring workplace culture to allow LGBTQ+ staff and residents to feel safe and supported.
