HHS to Create National Resource Center for LGBT Older Adults

To address a national need for culturally-sensitive community support and services for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adults age 60 and older, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced plans to establish the first national resource center.

The new LGBT older adult resource center will help communities and organizations serve their older LGBT populations by providing:

• Education about the special needs of aging LGBT adults
• Connections to mainstream aging services providers
• Support and information for local LGBT communities about planning for long-term care

Estimates place the size of the older LGBT population in the U.S. at 1.5 million to 4 million people, yet HHS notes that many local and national agencies may still be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the needs of these Americans. I wonder if one reason the estimated population size is so inexact is that many older people still hesitate to self-identify as LGBT due to fear of discrimination.

Creation of the resource center is welcome news for organizations that serve aging LGBT individuals.

"This resource center is a truly historic recognition of the needs of LGBT older adults across the country community and will make a huge difference in the lives of so many seniors," said Michael Adams, Executive Director of Services and Advocacy for SAGE, a non-profit agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older people.

"For too long, programs that serve LGBT older people have been ignored and shut out from most public funding, and there has been no federal funding to help mainstream aging services become educated about and sensitive to the unique needs of LGBT older adults...one of the most marginalized older populations and one of the most vulnerable populations in the LGBT community."

Public and private organizations with experience in LGBT issues are invited to apply for the single grant of approximately $250,000 per year. Check the Administration on Aging grant application site, which will post information soon.