TOPIC INDEX    		 LGBT Aging:
    Facts & Figures
    >Research comparing LGBT seniors with their straight counterparts has shown some key differences that have profound implications for those in the LGBT communities and for providers serving LGBT seniors. The Brookdale Center on Aging in New York City found that LGBT seniors have significantly diminished support networks when compared to the general senior population. These findings show that:1
    • Up to 75% of LGBT seniors live alone (compared to more than 33% of the general senior population)
    • 90% have no children (compared to more than 20% in general senior population)
    • 80% age as single people, without a life partner or significant other (compared to more than 40% in the general senior population)
    This translates into a lack of traditional support networks which are not replaced by the strength of other close friendships or the size of informal support networks within the LGBT communities. Nowhere is this lack of support more evident than in the fact that 20% of LGBT seniors indicated that they have no one on whom to call in times of crisis. This rate is up to ten times higher than that seen in the general senior population.2

    This means that when they are compared to seniors in the general population, LGBT seniors are:

    • Twice as likely to age as a single person
    • 4.5 times as likely to have no children to call upon in times of need, and
    • 2.5 times as likely to live alone.
    Is it any wonder that so many LGBT seniors can think of no one to turn to in times of need or crises! In societies where the health and well-being of the old depend upon the care, support and involvement of biological family and married spouses, the profile of a majority of LGBT seniors as living alone, without family support, places us at particular risk as we age. In fact, research has shown that straight seniors with this very profile are at increased risk for depression, substance abuse, unnecessary institutionalization and premature death.

    As a result, the LGBT community is much more reliant on and has much greater need for professional social services and formal support systems in their old age than seniors in the mainstream. But unfortunately, the studies have shown that LGBT seniors do not access the programs and services they need. In fact,they are five times less likely to access senior services than the general senior population.

    Another survey of agencies serving seniors in the US showed that fully 50% of LGBT seniors would not be welcomed at senior centers if their sexual orientation were known.3 And with good reason; the majority of mainstream providers are heterosexist; they assume that all the old people they serve are straight. It's an assumption that affects programming and social service delivery, the language used for intake, for the discussion of relationships, for life reminiscing and many other programming activities, and it serves to marginalize and alienate the 3 million LGBT seniors across the nation.4 So, many LGBT seniors feel they have no choice but to go back into the closet if they want to access mainstream senior services.

    Providers do not know enough about LGBT people, especially LGBT People of Color and of transgender experience. And it's only recently that issues confronting people of "intersex" experience become part of LGBT discussion and research.5 Efforts are being made to improve the situation, but until such time as that happens, it's up to us to inform and educate the providers. This may be difficult, but it's the only way change can be effected.

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