LGBTQIA+ Senior Housing Options

In addition to the typical challenges faced by seniors, which may include everything from declining health to age discrimination, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex and asexual plus allies, are at risk of further discrimination due to their lifestyle. That added pressure can make it difficult for seniors to seek out long-term care options as they age. The need for a senior living community where they can live alongside peers and receive care from attendants who are accepting of who they are is a serious consideration for those moving into long-term care or independent living communities.

An estimated 39 million seniors aged 65 and older reside in the United States, including 2.4 million individuals who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The number of older adults is expected to climb by as much as 6.2% by 2030, and as such, the number of senior LGBTQIA+ community members will grow as well. Due to the increasing population of LGBTQIA+ seniors, it’s important for service providers to be more inclusive of LGBTQIA+ individuals as they enter their golden years.

We creat this guide to help seniors in the LGBTQIA+ community find accepting, comfortable senior housing. Below, we provide an overview of senior housing and living options for older LGBTQIA+ adults, including details about each level of senior care. It also includes a list of LGBTQIA+-friendly communities throughout the United States and explains what you should look for when searching for an accepting senior living community.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Retirement and Independent Living Communities

Retirement villages and communities are housing complexes built specifically for older adults and seniors. These communities don’t provide personal care or medical assistance and are made for retired adults who are able to care for themselves. Amenities in these communities vary. While some are simply well-kept communities that are only occupied by older adults or seniors, some provide a full host of amenities, including on-site restaurants and services, planned activities and housekeeping services.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities

Assisted living communities provide 24-hour care for seniors who need help managing activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming and feeding themselves. These facilities typically provide medication reminders, three daily meals, social activities and transportation.

Memory care may be provided within an assisted living facility or in facilities that are exclusive to residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These facilities offer services and amenities similar to assisted living with the added benefits of activities that are meant to delay cognitive decline and added security for seniors who may be prone to wandering.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Nursing Homes

LGBTQIA+-friendly nursing homes can be difficult to come by, unfortunately. While there are many that promote diversity among residents and are committed to nondiscriminatory practices, most are focused on providing medical care without paying added attention to the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ seniors.

As such, it’s important for seniors and their family members to remain aware of residents’ rights when it comes to nursing home care. These rights include:

• The right to be free from abuse: Seniors living in long-term care should never be subjected to verbal, sexual, mental or physical abuse, including discrimination related to sexual orientation.
• The right to privacy: Regardless of cognitive or physical ability, residents in long-term care must be granted privacy when it comes to their bodies and their personal matters.
• The right to respect: All seniors in long-term care deserve and have the right to be treated with respect and dignity by caregivers, administrative staff and peers.
• The right to participate in group activities: Long-term care facilities may not exclude seniors from group activities and outings, including religious and social gatherings, because of their sexual preference or lifestyle choices.
• The right to participate in care decisions: Seniors in long-term care have the power to make their own choices about their care planning. That said, those who are unable to make sound decisions have the right to designate a family member or trusted loved one to make decisions on their behalf.
• The right to information: Seniors in long-term care and/or their designated representative must be provided with advance notice of changes in services, care, treatment or billing.

If any senior or designated decision-maker feels that these resident rights have been violated, they can contact their state’s long-term care ombudsman to file a complaint.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Housing for Low-Income Seniors

Low-income seniors often struggle to find adequate housing, and, unfortunately, those who identify as LGBTQIA+ frequently face greater difficulties than those who don’t. The communities listed below are LGBTQIA+-friendly and provide safe, low-income housing for seniors.

Questions to Ask When Looking for an LGBTQIA+-Friendly Senior Living Community

When exploring senior living communities, it’s especially important for LGBTQIA+ seniors to ask questions to determine how inclusive the community is and whether it’s open to supporting their needs. The information below provides a list of questions that seniors and their loved ones can ask when touring facilities to gather information and make a sound decision about whether the community will be a good fit for their lifestyle.

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Resources for LGBTQIA+ Seniors

LGBTQIA+ seniors can access help and support when faced with discrimination or other challenges. The resources below are free to access.