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Celebrating our LGBTQ elders in Older Americans Month May is Older Americans Month. In recognition and celebration of the contributions that LGBT older adults make, and have made, to our communities, PGN has assembled this special section on aging. The opening of the John C. Anderson LGBT senior-friendly apartments earlier this year
put a national spotlight on the unique needs and issues facing members of the LGBT communities as we age. In surveys, more than 80 percent of LGBT older adults express fear of discrimination in long-term care facilities. An even higher percentage of all older adults express a preference for remaining in their
own homes and neighborhoods as they age. This special section on aging discusses the issues, resources and services that are available to LGBT older adults so that they can safely and successfully “age in place.” Special thanks to the LGBT Elder Initiative for help in compiling this information.
LGBT- and age-friendly Philadelphia By Ed Bomba
VOLUNTEERS FROM OUT AT COMCAST PLANTED FLOWERS, PAINTED AND INSTALLED COMPUTERS AT THE JOHN C. ANDERSON LGBT-FRIENDLY SENIOR APARTMENTS APRIL 26 AS PART OF COMCAST CARES DAY
Not the same, old Village People By Kristin Davidson We are not talking about a group of guys in drag singing about the Y or the Navy. Now, when we talk about village people, we are talking about neighbors, in communities around the country, helping each other age in place. The Village-toVillage Movement is a network of community-based organizations that provide services that are not typically supplied by providers in the aging-services network, such as area agencies on aging, senior centers and advocacy groups. Nationally, there are 120 villages in operation and 100 in development. More than 20,000 people belong to villages. Most are supported by volunteers who deliver a variety of services and programs. Each village has a unique personality in that each sets its own goals and services based on its community’s needs and preferences. All of the villages are established to help people remain independent and age successfully in their own homes. There are “villages” operating in southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In Philadelphia, there are villages in East Falls, Mount Airy and Penn’s Village in Center City. The Penn’s Village service area extends from river to river and from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. More than 17,000 people over 65 live in that geographic area. Forty-seven percent are
over 75. PV’s mission is to provide social connection and to support people to maintain their independence as they age or become temporarily disabled. PV supports Center City residents so that they can stay in their own homes and in the neighborhoods with which they are familiar. In recent surveys, more than 80 percent of older adults express a preference for staying in their own homes as they age. In villages, volunteers deliver services that include transportation to medical appointments, shopping, running errands and helping with jobs around the house. They can provide companionship or make referrals to vetted resources such as electricians, roofers, plumbers and home health-care services. PV also hosts education and social programs for its members. “We fill a gap for services where larger and more structured agencies don’t fulfill all of the needs of older adults,” said Jane Eleey, executive director of Penn’s Village. “We want to be a central place for people to get these additional services.” PV is not limited to one role or a single service. Some people need support or assistance on a regular basis. The Village’s telephone support group for caregivers is one example. Other villagers have an occasional need, such as someone to water plants when they are away. The service offerings continue to expand based on comPAGE 32
Philadelphia is an LGBT-friendly city. The Human Rights Campaign gave the city a perfect score on its 2013 Municipal Equality Index, which examines the laws, policies and services available in 291 U.S. cities. Philadelphia earned top scores in every category. Philadelphia is also working to assure that it is an age-friendly city. The World Health Organization has developed a Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities. According to WHO, “What all members of the Network do have in common is the desire and commitment to create physical and social urban environments that promote healthy and active aging and a good quality of life for their older residents.” In the United States, this effort is coordinated by AARP. New York City was the first city in the country to receive the designation. In Philadelphia, the city and state governments, civic and community organizations, colleges and universities and citizens of all ages are working to make the city “age-friendly.” Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, our local area agency on aging, is involved in this community-wide effort. According to PCA, “The basic elements of an agefriendly city are accessible housing; ease of public transportation; readily available fresh foods; safe and inviting public spaces; and a vibrant workforce that is aware of issues facing older adults.” Other factors contributing to an age-friendly city are community support and health care, civic engagement, social participation and communication. In Philadelphia, assuring that older adults are not “gentrified-out” of their homes because of increases in property taxes is one step in this effort. Creating awareness in the business community about the value of hiring older workers is another. Improving physical accessibility to SEPTA, fixing cracked sidewalks and keeping neighborhood parks clean and safe are just a few more. Philadelphia’s deputy managing director for aging Lydia Hernandez Velez said that the administration has been focusing on this effort for many years.
“There are really two groups that are growing in population in Philadelphia. One is the 25-35-year-old segment, but there is also growth in the over-50 population,” Hernandez Velez said. In their efforts to address the needs of the growing population of older adults, she and her colleagues on the Mayor’s Commission on Aging and in departments throughout city government are trying to answer the question, “How do you promote a city in which people can live and be safe and have a quality of life that they deserve?” It is a large and complicated issue. Said Hernandez Velez, “Age-friendliness is not just about age; it’s about access and the ways that people think about a community and all of its different aspects.” In that mix of issues is the need to address the needs of at-risk populations. She points to people with limited English proficiency as just one example, asking “How do they connect with the services that do exist?” Hernandez Velez also addressed issues of importance to LGBT older adults as another example of the scope and complexity of creating an age-friendly environment. She voiced concerns many LGBT older adults express: “As an LGBT senior, can you go to a facility and remain out? Will you be respected for who you are?” “At some point you are going to need care, so how do you connect with services that are not going to diminish your assertion of who you are as a person? That is the challenge for everybody.” Achieving an age-friendly Philadelphia involves commitment, collaboration and cooperation across a broad spectrum of interested parties. Hernandez Velez cited her collaboration with PCA as an example. “We talk to each other constantly about challenges and issues,” she said. “They [PCA] have a fantastic research unit that has been a great partner to me in thinking through the issues.” One of the goals of Philadelphia’s agefriendly initiative is to create an environment in which “people own their own sense of who they are so that they can make choices in a very positive way,” Hernandez Velez said. It took many years and the efforts of many community members, organizations and government officials to earn the designation as an LGBT-friendly city. The work is well underway to earn PAGE 32
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11:18am • all AboArd for a QuiCk Trip to the City! Rydal Park is a short walk from SEPTA’s Rydal Station, and from there it’s an easy train ride to Center City for all the attractions the city has to offer. Music and theater at The Kimmel Center. Internationally renowned exhibits at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. World class dining…and so much more. At Rydal Park, our accessible location gives you the freedom to go wherever your spirit takes you. Rydal Park is more than just a place for adults 62+ to dwell…it’s a place for you to really live. To be vibrantly alive. After all, this is your life and we believe it should be all about Spirited Living. Call 267-396-2025 or visit RydalPark.org to learn more and let your spirit soar.
Nancy – Rydal Park Resident, Chic Shopper
1515 The Fairway Rydal, PA 19046 info@rydalpark.org
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Our Journeys
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 2-8, 2014
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Bill Pellé
Shifting into high gear at 75 The LGBT Elder Initiative is introducing a new feature to the EI blog (www.lgbtei.org). This feature offers LGBT older adults the opportunity to share their experiences of coming out and how it has affected their life stories. The following is the first installment of “Our Journeys.” I am a 75-year-old gay senior who was the director of civil rights for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. I have a sense of adventure more than I ever had before. I’ve gotten stronger from the deaths of my partner and my mother (my mother died in my partner’s arms and my partner died shortly afterward). I now see what is really important in life. We are on this planet to have effective relationships. I am on a spiritual path and my deceased partner is my spirit guide. The metaphysical world seems increasingly real to me. I volunteer. I have dropped secular elements such as ego, self-indulgence, fear and television. I see just about everything as an art form or some
expression of spirituality — including sex. I am self-reflective and unpredictable. I experience animals and children as my teachers. I have embraced the 12-Step Program, which was developed in large part by Karl Jung, a spiritual psychotherapist. I see the importance of acceptance — of both others and myself. I am grateful for the hard times I had as a kid; they were the context for me to grow. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time alone. My thoughts and my restaurant servers were my friends. I was self-oppressed. I knew I was different but I did not know why. I thought that being different was bad. I came out to myself when I was a sophomore in college. I started to use female names and pronouns to describe my male dates. My first therapist told me I had to become straight and to break up with
my male partner. At that time, gayness was listed as a “mental disorder” by the American Psychiatric Association (prior to 1973). This involuntary “conversion therapy” exacerbated my low self-esteem and evoked masochism. When I got out of graduate school, I began to sublimate by becoming a workaholic. This was in the ’60s when everyone else was experiencing the sexual revolution. I did get my obsession with work to work for me. I found solutions that were five years ahead of my time. I stopped the flow of federal funds to Mayor Frank Rizzo when I found racial and gender inequities in the way he distributed those funds. In 1981, I rolled the dice and came out to my boss, who was a Ronald Reagan appointee. In doing so, I experienced a degree of personal freedom that I never
thought was possible. I know that I helped to make the gay-rights struggle easier and move faster. This whole experience got me to shift out of low gear. Marriage equality has always been important to me. Gay men have had more than their share of obsessions and addictions. I am hopeful that marriage equality will increase emotional stability within the community and that the word “commitment” will be taken more seriously — whether one chooses marriage or not. The best part is taking the attention off myself. I no longer experience myself as the leader of the universe, or the center of it. I am simply a small piece of it. I no longer need to play big conventional games like creating my own company or running for political office. I can contribute in many small ways and still make a difference. In the process, I laugh a lot more — especially at myself — my antidote to my daily trials. Getting older excites me. It’s a challenge I welcome. ■ Submit your personal story to the EI blog, Our Journeys, at info@LGBTEI. org.
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GenPhilly: The future of aging? By Kate Clark, MPA Did you know that Philadelphia has the second-highest proportion of older adults among large U.S. cities? Additionally, they are all not well-to-do boomers. A significant number of the city’s older adults are very poor — 38 percent actually live below 150 percent of the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census. That is roughly 261,000 seniors, who are very diverse in terms of age, income, ability, language proficiency and sexual orientation. Given these facts, one would think that all organizations throughout the city would have older adults as a priority target audience. The reality is that there is a real lack of knowledge about older people in most professions. This is especially alarm-
ing given that most disciplines, such as transportation planning, have a significant impact on the lives of people of all ages. If professions are not actively addressing seniors’ needs, it is unlikely that the next generation of professionals will be attuned to how an aging population impacts their work. GenPhilly aims to close that gap. GenPhilly is a nationally award-winning network of more than 400 emerging leaders in their 20s and 30s. Members act as aging ambassadors by incorporating the needs of older adults into their work. This includes a wide range of disciplines, such as urban planning, the arts, social work, government, philanthropy and more. Together, they create professional development opportunities that tap into popular culture, break down existing stereotypes, and make this topic intriguing and hip. These future leaders of Philadelphia are also thinking about the type of city in which they themselves want to age. The William Way LGBT Community Center has been very involved with the group. “I joined GenPhilly in 2010 to connect with professionals who are working with elders in various disciplines and to explore ways to better serve LGBTQ elders,” said
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Candice Thompson, William Way’s director of center services. “I was excited to share my own experiences with the group and find innovative ways to create a city where people across generations thrive and connect.” Among other events, William Way hosted GenPhilly’s Intergenerational Vintage Dance Party in 2011, which was a huge success. GenPhilly’s other event themes over the past five years have included popular issues such as community gardening, pets, urban planning, contemporary music, access to fresh food and environmental sustainability. Through social media, meetings and public events, GenPhilly shows emerging leaders from all fields that there is a competitive professional advantage that results from incorporating knowledge about older adults into their skill set. The group began in 2009 and is now a program of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. Stay tuned for GenPhilly’s upcoming events. The last weekend in May the group will be partnering with Philadelphia Link and Technical.ly Philly to host HACK4ACCESS, a hack-a-thon on aging and disability at the Drexel University’s ExCITe Center. A hack-a-thon is an event
where code-writers, mechanical engineers and other tech-savvy people come together in teams to tackle an issue. In July, GenPhilly will host its fourth annual Pet-tastic Happy Hour to network and gather donations for homebound seniors’ furry companions. In the coming year, the group hopes to partner with the LGBT Elder Initiative, whose mission is to foster and advocate for services and resources that are competent, culturally sensitive, inclusive and responsive to the needs of LGBT older adults in the Delaware Valley. To join the GenPhilly network, and for more information about any of the events described above, go to www.genphilly.org or call 215-765-9000 ext. 5072. ■ Kate Clark, MPA, is planner for policy and program development at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and chair of GenPhilly. She is a 201314 Atlantic Philanthropies Health and Aging Policy Fellow with the Office of the Surgeon General. You can read more about GenPhiilly in her paper titled, “GenPhilly: A Strategy for Improving the Sustainability of Aging in Community Initiatives, Journal of Aging and Social Policy.”
exciting new life. Living at Medford Leas offers you the combination of a high quality of life with all of the independence, freedom and vitality you enjoy now. Choose from a wide range of housing options in a beautiful arboretum setting. Enjoy recreational and cultural amenities, varied dining, and unparalleled staff. The Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve of Medford Leas offers physical, emotional and spiritual ������������������������������������������������������� retirement community guided by Quaker principles.
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Going social By Ed Bomba There have always been groups of LGBT people, getting together on a regular basis, just to connect and socialize. Many informally organized groups exist throughout the community. Social connections and support networks are key ingredients in our ability to successfully age in place. Social isolation and depression are known risk factors for LGBT older adults. Whether loosely or more formally organized, groups and gatherings can help us avoid those conditions, provide support and keep us connected. Some groups have been in existence for decades. In the late 1990s/early 2000s, a small, informal group of people started getting together every week in the living room of the William Way LGBT Community Center. The group became known as MorningsOut (MOut). Back then there were about 10-15 people. They talked, shared stories and caught up on the past week’s events. News and information about meetings spread by word of mouth. Today, with several original members still active, MOut is an established program for gay men over 50 at William Way. On some Tuesday mornings, they visit local places of interest, take themed tours, watch movies or have discussions. The group develops its own agendas.
Members of the group or guest speakers are often invited to make more formal presentations on topics that have included travel, health, sexuality, Philadelphia’s LGBT history, politics, legal issues and community services and organizations. Guest presenters are warned that the MOut group, an average of more than 30 men on any given Tuesday morning, can only be described as lively and engaged. “Q&A sessions are never dull,” said Mark Kleinwichs, a MOut member who also helps coordinate the gatherings. “You never know what will come up when you get all of those guys into a room.” Word of mouth, advertising, newsletters and emails have helped increase the MOut mailing list to more than 200 men. A “facilitator,” a member who acts in that capacity for between two and six months, keeps the conversation on track. “No matter where they start, conversations can take wonderful turns,” said Kleinwichs, who was the group’s first volunteer facilitator. “It’s all up to the group.” MOut serves as a place where older men can meet and develop friendships. It has been the source of ideas for other programs at WWCC. The 50+ Rap Group is one such group that had its beginnings at MOutT. Meeting every Thursday afternoon, this is a forum where LGBT people over 50 can discuss their experiences in a
casual and nonjudgmental environment. Tai Chi at the Center also had its beginnings in MOut. Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese system of mind-bodyspirit health. All ages and all fitness levels are welcome on Tuesday evenings. As MOut has evolved and grown, so have the number and variety of social programs for older adults at William Way. Ed Miller, senior programs coordinator at the center, said, “Our senior social programs provide opportunities to make connections with other LGBT older adults in a safe and welcoming environment. With people 50plus participating, there is always a broad range of ideas and life experiences that help inform our programming.” Silver Foxes is a fixture at the center. The monthly get together for gay men and lesbians 50 and over, includes guest speakers, films and casual discussions in a relaxed social atmosphere. Women’s Wednesdays is a monthly social and educational gathering for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women 50 and over. A program with a different slant on helping older adults age in place is Connecting Generations. This intergenerational “friendly visitor” program provides opportunities for meaningful interactions and mentoring opportunities among younger and older LGBT people. Finally, for LGBTs over 40 who are
WILLIAM WAY LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER ARCHIVIST BOB SKIDA LED MEMBERS OF MORNINGSOUT ON A TOUR OF THE GAYBORHOOD WEST
returning to the workplace, WWCC offers SAGEWorks. Participants receive targeted job listings through AARP WorkSearch, as well as individual career counseling, résumé building, computer training, career workshops and networking opportunities. “Through all of these programs,” Miller said, “we work to build community, and honor and support LGBT older adults.” For more information, visit www.waygay.org or call 215-732-2220. Ed Bomba is the communications chair of the LGBT Elder Initiative and a member of MorningsOut.
Philadelphia Gay Pride Our Pride Issue is our largest issue of the year, with a readership of 50,000, plus an additional 8,000 distributed at Gay Pride June 8 at Penn’s Landing. Issue date: June 6 Ad deadline: May 30
Reserve your space today— greg@epgn.com 215-625-8501 ext. 201
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Staying healthy to age in place By Elisabeth Flynn Wellness and access to health care are key ingredients to successful aging and to an age-friendly city. In recent years, there has been increased support for LGBT older adults in these key service areas — a welcome development. For Philadelphia’s LGBT communities, Mazzoni Center provides physical and mental health care, HIV and STD testing, HIV case-management services, food-bank support, legal services and more. Well over 1,000 patients ages 55 and over are seen each year through Mazzoni’s continuum-of-care services. The medical practitioners, legal staff and case managers refer clients and patients to the Open Door behavioral-health program (and vice versa) so that staff can best treat more of the overall health of those served. LGBT medical center
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Mazzoni’s six doctors, three nurse practitioners and the agency’s physician assistant all see LGBT older adults as part of the family medical practice. Caroline Cylkowski, one of the nurse practitioners, also has a certification in gerontology. Cylkowski sees a number of older patients reporting depression, some of which is related to age. Chronic pain, arthritis and diabetes are a few of the broad range of conditions reported by the almost-900 LGBT seniors in medical care. One new patient, in his late 60s and who identifies as gay, told Cylkowski, “I want an LGBTfriendly health center.” He is living with HIV and first learned of Mazzoni from a friend. Another patient, a woman in her late 50s, had been experiencing a thyroid condition for over a year. She moved to Mazzoni because she felt that her old provider did not take her health issues seriously. HIV/STD prevention Some patients do not feel they have the most up-to-date information about HIV and STD transmission. Some have been in the closet for many years and may have been married. They never felt the need to learn about sexual risk and safer sex practices. Others have incorrect information passed around since the 1980s. Mazzoni does not necessarily take a different approach to discussing these issues with older-adult clients than with others, but staff is aware that some individuals are not used to talking openly about their sex life. Mazzoni’s counselors are extra supportive in order to ensure that a safe space is created so that clients feel comfortable sharing their
sexual histories. In order to get the best care possible, clients need to share with their care providers what they are really doing. Anecdotally, many mature gay men are sexually active and need sexual-health education and testing. Erectile-dysfunction medication has made the conversations around safer sex needed, even with clients over 80. This past year, prevention staff saw a 102-year-old client. Behavioral-health services Feelings of loss are the most prevalent issue facing older adults seen by Mazzoni’s licensed therapists. Loss is broadly defined and can include grief over the loss of a person — friend, loved one or family member. Many older people, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, experience “survivor’s guilt,” loss of health, and/or loss of opportunity (life is not quite where they pictured it). Care services Many of the center’s LGBT HIV-positive clients deal with aging issues and have limited support networks. These clients face complex medical issues. Case managers coordinate care with primary-care doctors and several specialists as a result. Legal services Mazzoni Center has provided all types of legal services to older LGBT individuals and couples. Because Pennsylvania does not yet recognize marriage equality, couples need to create legal recognition of their relationships through alternate means. Staff attorneys have prepared wills and powersof-attorney and other advanced-planning documents to assist individuals and couples with medical and financial decision-making. In addition to those documents, many other benefits are tied into marital status, including health benefits, retirement benefits, estate taxes and government assistance. The legal-services team has also been involved in free community legal clinics and educational programs. They work with service providers to ensure that there is a level of cultural competency for LGBT individuals and couples in various care facilities. They will also be offering drop-in legal services at the new Anderson Apartments. Other Mazzoni departments and community organizations will be providing services there as well. A healthy lifestyle, prevention and access to quality health care contribute to the health and vitality of our communities and our city. Just such an environment supports all LGBT older adults in their efforts to age successfully, and in place. For more information about Mazzoni Center services, visit www.mazzonicenter.org or call 215-5630652. ■ Elisabeth Flynn is senior communication manager at Mazzoni Center.
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Resources and services to assist LGBT older adults age in place Health, Social Services and General Information AARP 888-687-2277 www.aarp.org
ActionAIDS 215-981-0088 www.actionaids.org Alzheimer’s Association 800-272-3900 www.alz.org
Philadelphia TransHealth Conference 215-563-0652 www.trans-health.org Transgender Health Action Coalition 215-732-1207 www.critpath.org/thac The TransLine Health Project 415-901-7120 www.project-health.org/ transline/
Mazzoni Center 215-563-0652 www.mazzonicenter.org
Trans-Health Information Project (TIP) 215-851-1822 www.galaei.org/programs/transgender-healthtip/
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) 215-925-7333 www.pcacares.org
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey 215-665-2500 www.unitedforimpact.org
Congreso 215-763-8870 www.congreso.net
Philadelphia FIGHT 215-985-4448 www.fight.org
Legal Services
ACLU Pennsylvania 877-745-2258 www.aclupa.org AIDS Law Project of PA 215-587-9377 www.aidslawpa.org Community Legal Services 215-981-3700 www.clsphila.org Lambda Legal 212-809-8585 www.lambdalegal.org/ The Law Project of Southern New Jersey 856-566-3190 www.allabouthopenj. org/law_project.html Mazzoni Center 215-563-0657 legalservices@mazzonicenter.org SeniorLAW Center 877-727-7529 www.seniorlawcenter.org
Government Services and Benefits-City of Philadelphia
Commission on Aging 215-686-8450 www.phila.gov/aging Commission on Human Relations 215-686-4670 www.phila.gov/ HumanRelations Commission on People with Disabilities 215-686-2798 www.phila.gov/mcpd District Attorney’s Elder Victim/Witness Coordinator 215-686-8000 www.phila.gov/districtattorney/victim_ ElderAbuse.html Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs 215-886-2194 Gloria.Casarez@phila. gov
Police Advisory Commission 215-685-0891 www.phila.gov/pac/ Pages/default.asp Police Department Liaison Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel 215-686-3318 Police Liaison Committee 215-760-3686 ppd.lgbt@gmail.com
Government Services and Benefits-State and Federal
Pennsylvania Department Of Aging 717-783-1550 www.aging.state.pa.us/ MEDICAID 877-267-2323 www.medicaid.gov Affordable Care Act 800-318-2596 www.healthcare.gov
MEDICARE 800-633-4227 www.medicare.gov
Community Center 215-732-2220 www.waygay.org
Social Security 800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov
Housing
Advocacy and Community Organizations
CARIE (Center for the Rights and Interests for the Elderly) 215-545-5728 www.carie.org Equality Pennsylvania 215-731-1447 www.equalitypa.org LGBT Elder Initiative 267-546-3448 www.lgbtei.org Penn’s Village 215-925-7333 www.pennsvillage.org PFLAG Philadelphia 215-572-1833 www.pflagphila.org William Way
John C. Anderson LGBT Senior-friendly Apartments 877-480-4930 pennrose.com/properties/ john-c-anderson-apartments/
You can find additional resources and services for LGBT older adults at www.lgbtei.org.
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munity input. Recently, a program was begun with Thomas Jefferson University where students conduct home-safety checks. Another recent collaboration is with the LGBT Elder Initiative. The two groups plan to offer joint education and social programs for the communities. More collaborations with organizations and service providers are part of PV’s plan. People join PV for many reasons. Some are in immediate need, some want to give back to the community and some see it as an insurance policy for the day when they may need assistance themselves. According to Eleey, “One couple told me, ‘We read the article in the newspaper. We were sitting at the breakfast table. We looked at each other and said, ‘This is what we have been looking for. We have no children. We are getting older. We have to prepare.’ It was a fit for them. There was no pressure. It was not too expensive for them. They recognized their need and they also wanted to contribute as volunteers.” There are several levels of membership, each with an annual fee. Some limited assistance with membership fees is available based on financial need. The rise in costs and the reduction in government funding will rule out the options of nursing-home, assisted-living and continuing-care facilities for many. Other models of retirement-community living are also cost-prohibitive. And, whether facilities are available or money is not an obstacle, people still prefer to stay in their own homes and neighborhoods. As the ranks of older adults swell with baby boomers, these factors will force us to look for more creative models of community-based organizations. Penn’s Village and the Village-to-Village Movement will be one way to support all of our efforts to age successfully, in place. To learn more about Penn’s Village and the Village-to-Village Movement, visit www.pennsvillage.org, email info@pennsvillage.org or call 215-9257333. ■ Kristin Davidson is a board member of Penn’s Village and retired from the University of Pennsylvania in 2007, where she was director of administrative affairs for the College of Arts & Sciences. PHILLY from page 25
the city the designation — and the reality of “age-friendly” Philadelphia. The end result will be a positive living environment in which LGBT older adults can live and age successfully in place. For more information, call the Mayor’s Commission on Aging at 215-686-8450 or visit www.phila.gov and search “Aging.” ■ Ed Bomba is communications chair of the LGBT Elder Initiative. The LGBTEI fosters and advocates for services, resources and institutions that are competent, culturally sensitive, inclusive and responsive to the needs of LGBT elders. You can contact the Elder Initiative at info@LGBTEI.org or call 267-546-3448.