Living
in a nursing home is not easy. When you
are gay, it can be so much more
complicated. Unless you’re at a
progressive long-term care facility,
staff (and fellow residents) may act
less than warm and fuzzy, the Nursing
Home Reform Act notwithstanding.
Put simply, you or your
visiting partner, if you’re lucky enough
to have one, may not feel welcome. State
laws that deny LGBT couples the same
benefits as their married heterosexuals
reinforce their frustrating situation.
Many older gays—even those who
might have led an openly LGBT life when
they were younger–are so fearful about
shabby treatment at nursing homes or
assisted living, that they hide their
sexual orientation.
Their concern may be justified.
A 2010 national survey of 769 gay
elders, care providers, and family
members found that 328 of those
interviewed reported 853 incidents of
mistreatment; just 22% felt they could
be open with staff about sexual
orientation or gender identity. More bad
news: more than three-quarters said they
would not disclose their LGBT status
should they wind up in institutional
care.
The Administration on Aging
reports that 1.7-4 million Americans age
60+ are LGBT. Undoubtedly, some will be
entering nursing homes. This demographic
is more likely to live alone, have no
children and may have less-than-close
relationships with their families. No
wonder many older gay men and women feel
isolated.
So, some gay adults have
decided they’re more comfortable with
others who “get it,” and are moving into
LGBT retirement communities. There are
less than a dozen nationwide, including
Rainbow Vista in Gresham, OR and Rainbow
Vision in Santa Fe, NM, (in bankruptcy
but residents live there). Fountaingrove
Lodge in Santa Ana, CA, which has all
levels of eldercare, is expected to be
completed next year.
Increasingly, there’s
discussion about how to make life better
for the older LGBT demographic (nursing
staff sensitivity training, education
and advocacy). Out now is a new,
one-hour documentary called “Gen Silent”
that is making the rounds across the
country and should further expose
viewers to the concerns of LGBT elders.
Written by award-winning director Stu
Maddux, “Gen Silent” profiles six gay
elders and those who care for them.
Want to see it? If you happen
to be in Lafayette, IN August 17th, or
Scotland August 24th, you can watch it
there. Otherwise, it’s being screened in
various states in September, October,
and November. If you’re not in the right
place at the right time, watch the
trailer (above).
For more information, take a
look at the National Resource Center on
LGBT Aging, a project of SAGE (Services
and Advocacy for GLBT Elders).
