HHS to Create National Resource Center for Elderly
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Experts estimate that as many as 1.5 to 4 million
LGBT individuals are age 60 and older
Oct. 22, 2009 Health and Human Services Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius today announced plans to establish the nations first
national resource center to assist communities across the country in
their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.
Experts estimate that as many as 1.5 to 4 million
LGBT individuals are age 60 and older.
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 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders (SAGE).
Agencies that provide services to older individuals
may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the needs of this group of
individuals, says the HHC news release.
The new Resource Center for LGBT Elders will
provide information, assistance and resources for both LGBT
organizations and mainstream aging services providers at the state and
community level to assist them in the development and provision of
culturally sensitive supports and services.
The LGBT Center will also be
available to educate the LGBT community about the importance of planning
ahead for future long term care needs.
The LGBT Resource Center will help community-based
organizations understand the unique needs and concerns of older LGBT
individuals and assist them in implementing programs for local service
providers, including providing help to LGBT caregivers who are providing
care for an older partner with health or other challenges.
The Administration on Aging will award a single
Resource Center grant at approximately $250,000 per year, pending
availability of funds. Eligible entities will include public-private
nonprofit organizations with experience working on LGBT issues on a
national level.
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, said Adams.
With this announcement, the Department of Health
and Human Services and Obama Administration have taken a big step in the
right direction to correct that wrong as a matter of both policy and
funding.
We look forward to working with HHS and the Obama
Administration on this and other programs that provide much-needed
resources to one of the most marginalized older populations and one of
the most vulnerable populations in the LGBT community.
SAGE
is the world's oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older people. Since its
inception, SAGE has pioneered programs and services for the aging LGBT
community, provided technical assistance and training to expand
opportunities for LGBT older people across the country, and provided a
national voice on LGBT aging issues. In 2005 SAGE became the first
official LGBT delegate at a White House Conference on Aging. In 2008,
SAGE presented its Fourth National Conference on LGBT Aging, entitled
"It's About Time," sponsored by AARP.
Oct. 22, 2009 Health and Human Services Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius today announced plans to establish the nations first
national resource center to assist communities across the country in
their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. 
