Choosing where to live as you are aging is one of life’s most personal decisions.
Some older adults want to remain in their own homes with additional assistance. Others consider independent living, assisted living, or memory care communities where support is readily available. Others may need more dedicated care as found in a Skilled Nursing Facility.
For LGBTQ+ older adults, an additional question may influence these decisions: Will I be comfortable being myself in this environment? Will I be safe? Will I receive services equal to others living in the same environment?
Finding the right living arrangement involves more than evaluating amenities, services, and monthly costs. It also means identifying an environment where relationships, privacy, personal choices, and dignity are respected.
Why LGBTQ+ Older Adults May Have Additional Housing Concerns
Many of today’s LGBTQ+ older adults spent portions of their lives in environments where openly discussing their relationships or identities was not always safe. As they age, some worry about encountering similar experiences while accepting assistance from caregivers or moving into a residential community. A person who has lived openly for decades may feel uncomfortable entering an environment where they are uncertain how staff or other residents will respond to their identity.
A couple may want reassurance that their relationship will be recognized and respected. A transgender older adult may have concerns about privacy, personal care, appropriate identification, and respectful communication. These are important considerations when evaluating a potential living arrangement.
What Should You Look for in a Senior Living Community?
A welcoming website or brochure is a good starting point, but it does not necessarily reveal what daily life will be like. When considering assisted living, memory care, or other senior housing options, it is helpful to ask specific questions.
- Nondiscrimination policies: Does the community have written policies addressing sexual orientation and gender identity?
- Staff education: Have employees received training in LGBTQ+ aging cultural competency?
- Resident relationships: How does the community recognize spouses, partners, and other important people in residents’ lives?
- Privacy: How are personal information and sensitive healthcare matters protected?
- Personal care: How does the staff accommodate individual preferences involving bathing, dressing, and other personal assistance?
- Resident concerns: What happens if someone experiences harassment, disrespect, or discrimination?
Answers should be evaluated alongside staffing, healthcare capabilities, safety, costs, and the resident’s individual care requirements.
How an Aging Life Care Manager® Helps Evaluate Options
An Aging Life Care Manager®, also known as a geriatric care manager, can provide guidance throughout the housing decision process. Care management begins by assessing the older adult’s current and anticipated needs. This may include medical conditions, mobility, cognition, social connections, finances, lifestyle preferences, and the availability of assistance.
From there, the care manager can help identify suitable options and coordinate the evaluation process. For LGBTQ+ clients, this includes helping assess whether providers demonstrate respectful practices and can accommodate important personal preferences.
A care manager may also coordinate with healthcare providers, attorneys, family members, and other authorized professionals to support a well-informed decision.
Remaining at Home Is Also an Option
Moving into senior living is not the right choice for everyone. Many older adults prefer to age in place, maintaining familiar surroundings, relationships, and routines. An Aging Life Care Manager® can help assess whether remaining at home is practical and identify services that may support that goal. These might include home care assistance, transportation, medication management support, home safety modifications, meal services, and community activities.
When hiring home care providers, the same attention to respectful communication, privacy, and personal preferences is important.
The Right Home Supports the Whole Person
A successful housing decision considers both physical needs and emotional well-being. Feeling safe, respected, connected, and comfortable in one’s surroundings contributes to quality of life. For LGBTQ+ older adults, finding the right environment may require additional questions and careful evaluation, but those efforts can make a meaningful difference.
Whether you want to remain at home or explore senior living communities, an Aging Life Care Manager® can help you evaluate your options and make decisions that support your independence, comfort, and personal identity.
Our team is available to help with your personal care plan, and we respect all circumstances surrounding your personalized care. Reach out today to discuss your care needs.