Retirement Concerns on Aging ​

Are you getting to that point in life where age has become a concern? Read on!!! # HRC Foundation and SAGE Recognized for LGBTQ+ Aging Advocacy On March 27, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Health & Aging team and SAGE were honored by the American Society on Aging (ASA) for their collaborative work advancing the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ older adults. ## Partnership on Long-Term Care Equality The two organizations have joined forces on a historic initiative to improve how long-term care facilities treat LGBTQ+ residents. Their centerpiece effort is the **Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI)**, the first-ever nationwide assessment designed to evaluate whether long-term care facilities are providing equitable treatment and inclusion for LGBTQ+ older people. ## Addressing a Critical Need The partnership responds to a pressing challenge. A national survey of LGBTQ+ older adults in long-term care facilities found that only 22 percent felt comfortable being open about their LGBTQ+ identities with facility staff, while 89 percent predicted staff would discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, 43 percent reported experiencing mistreatment. ## How the LEI Works The LEI encourages and helps residential long-term care communities adopt policies and best practices that provide culturally competent care to LGBTQ+ older people. Beyond assessment, it provides resources and technical assistance to help facilities implement these changes. Long-term care facilities can participate by signing the "Commitment to Caring" pledge. ## Why This Matters With experts predicting that as many as 4.7 million LGBTQ+ older adults will seek care and services by 2030, ensuring dignified and inclusive treatment in long-term care settings has become increasingly urgent.