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GLBT Aging in MAine

GLBT Aging in MAine. In their own words… John Hennessy AARP Maine June 8, 2012. Glbt aging in a changing world. “Harold” “Mary & Jean” Understanding and meeting the needs of GLBT elders in Maine

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GLBT Aging in MAine

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  1. GLBT Aging in MAine In their own words… John Hennessy AARP Maine June 8, 2012

  2. Glbt aging in a changing world • “Harold” • “Mary & Jean” • Understanding and meeting the needs of GLBT elders in Maine • Policy makers and researchers have largely ignored issues of aging in the GLBT community, whose members are expected to exceed 4 million by 2030. • How to integrate GLBT Older Mainers into Aging Policy and Practice

  3. Glbt aging in a changing world • “Noncategoricals” vs “”Uncategorized” • Gray, Gay and Worried (NYT 9/30/10) • Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight (NYT 10/9/07 • For Many Older Gays, a Toll of Time and Isolation (NYT 9/12/11) • Positive vision for successful aging for GLBT elders in Maine • The urgency of this movement has never been greater

  4. GLBT DemograPhics • The Graying of America 2000 – 35m 65+ (12% US pop.) +8% 1950 2030 – 70m 65+ (20% US pop.) +100% 2000 • The “Gaying” of America According to the LGBT Aging Project: 10,000 people turning 65 each week.

  5. Project Overview • Transform the landscape on GLBT Aging in Maine • Statewide Community Needs Assessment • Community Focus Groups (Portland, Lewiston and Bangor) • Report • Network Readiness Survey • Health Care Practitioners • Service Providers

  6. Partners • Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging • Frannie Peabody Center • ME Gerontological Society • Maine Transnet • Long Term Care Ombudsman Program • UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine • UNECOM Q Med Club • Vogel & Dubois • Equality Maine • Martin’s Point • Doug Kimmel, PhD

  7. Community needs assessment • Health Care Access • Legal Services • Long Term Care • Violence, Victimization and Criminal Justice • Interpersonal Violence • Service Needs and Use • Social and Mental Health • Spirituality • Community Issues • Demographics

  8. What we heard • GLBT Boomers are much like the rest of the population • Concerned about aging, unable to care for themselves, becoming sick or disabled, outliving their income and being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. • GLBT is a benefit. • Provider does not “approve” of my lifestyle.

  9. What we heard • The presumption of heterosexuality. • Personal experience. • It is critical that my PCP is gay positive, beyond gay friendly! • Geographic isolation is a significant barrier to health care.

  10. What we heard • Transgender and gender non-conforming folks are more likely to experience barriers to health care. • Many GLBT seniors in Maine are tough while others are at risk. • There is a sense of a lack of culturally competent providers. • Being long term HIV+ has it’s own rewards and challenges. • My doctor is straight, but flawless.

  11. GLBT aging challenges • All people are vulnerable as they age – GLBT folks face the additional stigma of homophobia/transphobia. • Many are no longer partnered, without children, estranged from family supports. • Mainstream research ignores GLBT seniors. • Families not recognized under law. • Faith & Religion

  12. Glbt aging challenges • Specific services or outreach. • We need programs to keep GLBT folks involved in their communities. • Health Disparities – tobacco, alcohol, disabilities, cardiovascular disease, HIV • Not being out.

  13. Long term care • Most haven’t thought about or planned for. • Many staff in LTC are GLBT. • My biggest worry – LTC and sexuality. • Can’t imagine LTC as a trans person. • Never planned to got old re: HIV+ • The prospect of going back in the closet is making me ill.

  14. Emerging issues, innovative solutions

  15. Next steps • Network Readiness Survey • Staff training is essential. • People who fear discrimination need reassurance before they access services in order to make it through the agency door. • When clients reveal GLBT identity, address the whole person and their situation. Do not assume that being GLBT is a problem in itself. • Start a SAGE chapter in Maine.

  16. Where we’ve been • LGBTQ Symposium 2007: Strengthening Community, Building Alliances (Create new models of living communities for GLBTQ people as the age.) • 5th Annual University of Maine Geriatric Colloquium – April 2010 Sexuality and Aging: Dispelling the Myths

  17. Thank you Edie & Thea

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