Inclusive Senior Living

Inclusive Senior Living

Many forward-thinking senior living providers are acknowledging the diversity of their staff and clients and working to make sure everyone is cared for and respected.

The generation that fought for the families, and employers for decades rights of people of color and lesbian, because of fear of discrimination. gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and queer Now, as they face retirement living (LGBTQ) individuals is aging. While decisions, they are again fearful the world has undoubtedly become that their lifestyle will lead to more inclusive since their youth, there discrimination or the outright refusal is still work to be done. of services.

To serve all older adults, senior Unlike other seniors, LGBTQ older living communities and service adults are less likely to have children providers need to be cognizant of to help them in their later years. They and dedicated to promoting diversity may also be estranged from their and inclusion. Increasingly, senior families. This demographic is far more living providers are acknowledging likely to rely solely on a partner or the diversity of their staff and clients. close friend for their care as they age. These forward thinking providers are In 2010, a groundbreaking working to make sure that everyone documentary film addressed the is comfortable and respected. Our dilemmas of LGBTQ seniors. Gen seniors and senior living providers— Silent profiles six LGBTQ seniors in all of them—deserve no less. the Boston area. Many of them are

Positive Aging Sourcebook is struggling with the decision to hide dedicated to helping senior living their sexuality to survive the long-term providers promote diversity and health care system. inclusion. We have held numerous Unfortunately, the seniors digital discussions on equity, profiled in Gen Silent are not inclusion and diversity in senior isolated examples. A 2018 analysis living to advance acceptance by University of Washington and expand understanding. professor Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen View past conversations or concluded that unique prevention join future discussions at and intervention strategies needed to retirementlivingsourcebook.com/ be developed to address the needs digital-discussions.

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