Partnership by Design: new project aims to improve LGBTQ elders' lives

May 2019 | American Society on Aging, interview by Tim Johnston (SAGE)

“It’s important to understand and address whatever is driving access limitations. In addition to services, part of the intention is to educate people about the aging process. Without that knowledge, some people might not know what they need. If we can keep people in the community, especially LGBTQ older adults who may face bullying and discrimination in institutionalized care, we also want to make sure that the risks of isolation do not increase.”

San Francisco’s Openhouse (www.openhouse-sf.org) and On Lok (www.onlok.org) are partnering to help the city’s LGBTQ older adults age with dignity, independence and pride. The two nonprofits are co-designing a program that addresses two critical issues in this community: accessing much needed aging services, and ameliorating the LGBTQ elders’ fears that life in a nursing home would drive them back into the closet.

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