Caring for LGBTQ Elders – Connecticut Commits To “Getting it Right”
Last year, I viewed a short documentary, “Gen Silent,” which poignantly portrayed the fears and challenges that aging LGBTQ people face in obtaining home care support in the community. The film portrays elders laden with fears of abuse and discrimination surrounding their sexual orientation.
People identifying as LGBTQ either age and ail in isolation, or opt to go “back into the closet”— which is characterized by a social term known as “straightening the house”—to avoid potential discrimination by home care agencies.
Connecticut care agencies are responding to these critical concerns by extending a rainbow ray of inclusion and acceptance to LGBTQ elders. Yesterday’s Business section of the Hartford Courant shone a light upon efforts of Connecticut Community Care, Inc. (CCCI, Inc.), a community-based care management organization, and other state agencies, service providers, and community members, who have joined together to form the groundbreaking “LGBT Aging Advocacy” coalition.
The LGBT Aging Advocacy coalition is dedicated to creating a program called, “Getting it Right,” which focuses on providing training to improve elder care services for LGBTQ people.
To identify participating providers, our elders should look for symbols signifying inclusion and LGBTQ allies through a proud display of rainbows. Disability Planning Partners also joins the Hartford Courant by commending and recognizing Jewish Family Services (JFS), Care at Home. JFS Care at Home will receive a certificate for completing the training in the “Getting It Right” program. Their care workers will then proudly wear stickers or pins displaying rainbow colors to demonstrate LGBTQ competency training and inclusion.
Our entire team at Disability Planning Partners, a client-based law firm dedicated to helping people plan through of all ages and stages of disability, elder care, and estate planning, is excited to partner with all organizations that promote inclusion, well-being, and care for all of our Connecticut-based LBGTQ communities.
