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The LGBT Aging, Health and Wellness Forum: left to right, Under Secretary of Elder Affairs Sandra Albright, Secretary of Elder Affairs Ann Hartstein, Lisa Krinsky, Gary Bailey, Len Fishman. Read more about this event below.
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"Do Tell"
The LGBT Aging Project's Monthly Newsletter |
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Dear ,
As we come to the end of another year I wanted to take a moment to pause and recognize what an amazing year 2010 has been for us at The LGBT Aging Project. Who would have imagined that we would be involved with a movie like Gen Silent that has been traveling all over the world, putting faces on the challenges of LGBT Aging. Our little video for the "It Gets Better" project became a viral sensation and was included with the Presedent's own video as one of the best videos for that project. 2010 also saw the launch of the first National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, with the LGBT Aging Project as one of the founding partners! Back at home we are seeing more and more meal sites, programs and elder care agencies who are reaching out to the LGBT seniors and caregivers in their area. It truly was a wonderful year!
The highlights of this newsletter include:
- Forum on Growing Older in the LGBT Community
- Highlighting HIV Issues Among Older Americans
- A Tribute to an Advocate for LGBT Seniors
- Historic Inclusion of LGBT People in 'Healthy People 2020' Initiative.
- New LGBT Bereavement Group Forming in Boston in January.
- News, Community Announcements and information on all five LGBT Senior Meal Programs and our ongoing support groups.
Have a wonderful holiday season! Best,
Bob Linscott Assistant Director, LGBT Aging Project |
| Message From The Director |
Dear Friends,
Earlier this month I spent a terrific three days with our training partners at the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. Over the past few months we have been collaborating on a National Training Curriculum on LGBT Aging for both aging services and LGBT organizations and this was our chance to test it out -- on ourselves. We have all contributed to this curriculum and look forward to sharing it with the public in 2011.
Each time I meet with our partners at the National Resource Center I am reenergized - both by the tremendous caliber of our training partners from across the country (SAGE, CenterLink, FORGE/TAN, Griot Circle, Openhouse, PHI) and by the opportunity we have to create a federally funded national resource on LGBT Aging. How lucky we are to end 2010 and enter 2011 knowing that we are building our own future.
Be well,
Lisa Krinsky, LICSW
Director, LGBT Aging Project |
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| When Creating Connections Takes a Village: Growing Older in the LGBT Community | |
Last month over 100 elder care professionals gathered at Hebrew Senior Life for the LGBT Aging, Health and Wellness Forum to focus on the issues of growing older in the LGBT community. The keynote speaker was Secretary of Elder Affairs, Ann Hartstein who talked about Massachusetts' Aging Agenda and reminded everyone that aging and illness are not synonymous. Participants viewed Gen Silent and then Gary Bailey of Simmons School of Social Work facilitated a discussion and Q&A.
Panelists Len Fishman, CEO of Hebrew Senior Life, talked about new visions for Long Term Care and Lisa Krinsky of The LGBT Aging Project talked about issues unique to LGBT older adults and caregivers.
This event was sponsored by Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Hebrew Senior Life and The LGBT Aging Project along with NASW - MA Chapter and Fenway Health. |
| Message from Assistant Secretary Greenlee on World AIDS Day, December 1 |  "Since 1988, World AIDS Day has been celebrated on December 1 around the world. Over the years, it has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness and bring attention to prevention and treatment services. Twenty-four percent of people living with HIV nationwide are over the age of 50 and research indicates that by 2015 half of the people living with HIV in the U.S. will be over age 50. On top of that, we now know that fifteen percent of new cases occur among people aged 50 and older.
For these reasons, it is critical that the Aging Services Network participate in activities, including World AIDS Day, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among older adults and their caregivers. Aging services providers and HIV care providers must work together to educate older Americans about the prevention of HIV as well as to ensure that the special needs of the older men and women living with HIV can be effectively addressed in an integrated and collaborative fashion."
from Administration on Aging's eNews |
| Highlighting HIV Issues Among Older Americans: |
 | | New England Association on HIV Over 50's Director Jim Campbell (center) at the White House Summit on HIV and Aging |
The AIDS Epidemic has reached the Baby Boomers!
15% of new HIV infections occur among those 50 years old or older. On Wednesday October 27th The White House Office of National AIDS Policy convened a meeting on HIV and aging to discuss these demographic trends. Jim Campbell, President/CEO of the New England Association On HIV Over Fifty and member of the LGBT Senior Pride Coalition was invited to join a small group of national advocates at this meeting to represent our community (See "White House Convenes a Meeting on HIV and Aging, in Do Tell, Nov 2010). The purpose of the meeting was to address the challenges that were not anticipated back when HIV carried a prognosis of a much shorter life span. One of the most surprising aspects of the domestic HIV epidemic is the number of people aging with HIV. Earlier this year, in our own region, Massachusetts Department of Public Health said 53% of AIDS cases are over the age of forty five.
Campbell says that he had some success in getting CDC to change their testing guidelines by extending the age for testing from 64 to 84 years of age.
Also:
Members of Boston's LGBT Senior Pride Coalition handed out ribbons on World AIDS Day earlier this month.
>> See photos by Steve Lord |
| Tribute to Charlie Sisson: An Advocate For LGBT Older Adults |  It is with great sadness that The LGBT Aging Project announces the passing of a colleague, supporter and friend, Charles N. (Charlie) Sisson on November 7, 2010. Mr. Sisson served as the Executive Director of Coastline Elderly Services, Inc., the designated Area Agency on Aging and Aging Services Access Point for the Greater New Bedford, Massachusetts region for more than 28 years with 31 years of service overall to the agency. Under Charlie's leadership, Coastline has been recognized as one of the premier agencies in the state. He served as President of Mass Home Care and was instrumental in working with the Massachusetts legislature to create Aging Services Access Points which today are single points of entry for area services and supports. For his efforts Charlie received the "No Care Like Home Care" Award from his peers. From 1998 until July of this year, Mr. Sisson served as an active member of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Board of Directors including service as n4a President in 2006-2008. Charlie was an outstanding advocate for human rights, believing that the Aging Network must provide access to services while assuring the availability of needed housing, nutrition and socialization for older adults and persons with disabilities. When a lack of affordable housing became an obvious need in the community, Coastline purchased and renovated an old warehouse converting it into 32 units of affordable housing which the agency continues to manage today. In his advocacy for access to services, he discovered the profound impact of discrimination on LGBT seniors and became a champion of their cause. Likewise, Charlie embraced partnerships with disability advocates well before the term, Aging and Disability Resource Center, was widely known. With his disability partners he produced a CD video to fight discrimination and champion the common issues faced by the aging and disability community. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Charles N. Sisson Men's Fund, c/o Coastline Elderly Services, 1646 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. |
| HISTORIC INCLUSION OF LGBT PEOPLE IN FEDERAL HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 HEALTH POLICY BLUEPRINT |  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services took an important step forward for LGBT health as they unveiled Healthy People 2020 (HP2020), the blueprint for national public health prevention and policy goals for the next decade. For the first time LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) health is recognized and there is clear acknowledgement that LGBT individuals experience health disparities that affect their health status. LGBT health appears as a special topic area among the 42 listed within HP2020, and transgender people are included in the document. Previous versions of Healthy People referred only to lesbian, gay and bisexual people. This success follows a decade of national community effort to document the health challenges confronted by LGBT persons. Information on the recommendations can be found at www.healthypeople.gov. >>Read More |
| Holiday Event for LGBT Seniors on the North Shore | |
 | | Left to right: Lisa Krinsky, John Archer, host, Paul Lanzikos, Executive Director NSES, Bob Linscott |
North Shore Elder Service's (NSES) Old and Bold Coalition had their second annual Holiday Gathering at the elegant home of John Archer. Nearly 100 people were in attendance; LGBT seniors, allies, providers and friends. It was a wonderful evening and we are thrilled to see such a successful outreach effort in the first year of the coalition. Earlier this year NSES launched the monthly Over The Rainbow Supper Club for LGBT Seniors which is held at the historic House of Seven Gables. They recently had their first holiday dinner which was also a great success. If you would like more information about the Old and Bold Coalition please call (978) 624-2261 or email OldandBold@nselder.org. |
| Boston LGBT Bereavement Group Planned For January 2011 |
 The next LGBT Bereavement Group this year will be held in the Boston area. This free six week group offers a safe and welcoming environment for LGBT people to process their loss and move forward with their lives. The group is open to LGBT people of all ages. If you know someone who has lost a partner/spouse, family member or friend, please share this information.
Dates: January 26th to March 2nd Time: Wednesday Evenings 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Boston
To register: Beth Damsky, LICSW, (617) 497-6581.
To learn about future groups in your area call Bob Linscott at (617) 522-1292
Funded by the Mass Dept of Public Health and facilitated by Ethos and The LGBT Aging Project
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| Caring and Aging With Pride: Update |
Thank you to everyone who participated in this national project. Researchers received over 2,400 surveys which represents the largest collection of information on the needs of LGBT older adults- in the world!!! A national report will soon be written about this data. >> Read more
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| Somerville Cambride Elder Services Honors John Moniz, Director of Cadbury Commons |
 Somerville Cambridge Elder Services held its annual "Serving Seniors"
event last month and gave their LGBT award to John Moniz, Executive Director of Cadbury Commons, an Assisted Living in Cambridge. The LGBT Aging Project, the 2009 award winner, was pleased to present this award - and pass it forward - to John Moniz as the 2010 winner. John and the rest of the Cadbury Commons community have opened their dining room doors to host the Cadbury Cafe, the first dining program for LGBT older adults in the Somerville- Cambridge area. Cadbury Commons, in conjunction with Somerville Elder Services and the Cambridge Council on Aging, have been bringing together about 50 LGBTs for terrific food and community on the 4th Wednesday evening of every month. Congratulations to John for this award and to everyone working with the Cadbury Cafe! |
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In The News |
LGBT elders are emerging from silence
by Emily Cataneo, Bay Windows
More and more elderly gay Americans are coming out of the closet, and searching for a community. "They felt isolated because of a lack of support. They felt a double stigma because of ageism and homophobia. For people who were already in a long-term care facility, they talked about concerns about how they had to hide their lives from other residents, and about dealing with roommates who disliked gay people," said Gary Stein, an associate professor at Yesheva University who, earlier this year, conducted a study of the psychological problems that LGBT elders face.
Improving the Quality of Direct Care to LGBT Older Adults
By Michael Adams, SAGE
There is no denying the importance of direct care workers and their potential impact on the health and well-being of older adults, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Direct care workers such as home health aides and nursing assistants deliver vital services that allow older adults to stay in their homes and communities, aging in place successfully. LGBT older adults are especially reliant on these services because they often cannot depend on family members for caregiving. Further, many LGBT elders fear that they will face hostile or unwelcoming health care providers, or might encounter care workers who are unfamiliar with the needs of the LGBT community. This can cause LGBT older adults to delay seeking necessary health care, sometimes indefinitely, and can lead to premature institutionalization in nursing homes and long-term care facilities due to fear of hostile in-home care providers.
New treatments help HIV/AIDS patients live longer, causing surge in patients over 50
by Heidi Evans, Daily News
When Lee Chew tested positive for HIV in 1987 at age 38, the former actor never thought he'd be around in 2000, let alone 2010. He was convinced of that in 1996, when he was hospitalized with AIDS-related meningitis.But with the discovery of new antiviral drugs that year, he slowly went from a wheelchair, to a walker, to a cane to riding his bicycle and reclaiming his life.
Center launches nation's first LGBT homesharing program
by Gary Barlow, Now in Gay Chicago
Officials at the Center on Halsted unveiled the nation's first LGBT homesharing program, matching up LGBT seniors with younger renters who can help with chores and other support services in exchange for reduced rent.
The program addresses a number of issues faced by LGBT senior adults, who are twice as likely to be single and three to four times more likely to be without children than their heterosexual counterparts. That lack of a family support makes it more difficult for LGBT seniors to continue living independently as they age.
>> Read Full Story
"Gen Silent" speaks OUT for LGBT Seniors. In this exclusive audio interview montage Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ interviewed Bob Linscott, Assistant Director, LGBT Aging Project, Sue Reamer, PHD, Co-Chair Stonewall Communities, David Aronstein, Founder of Stonewall Communities and his partner Steve Tamasy. >> Listen Here
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Community Announcements | |
Call for Transgender/Intersex/DSD/Cross-Dresser/Gender Queer-Identified Survey Participants: INTERNATIONAL SURVEY ON SUCCESSFUL AGING AND LATER LIFE CHALLENGES
We are looking for individuals who are willing to participate in an international research survey aimed at understanding how individuals with "non-traditional" gender identities (transgender, transsexual, cross-dresser, trans-queer, gender queer, intersex, DSD, and other gender identities) prepare to address traditional later life challenges such as retirement, health care, money challenges and other later life problems that might arise as they age.
Current research in aging speaks of the importance of a number of factors that contribute to successful aging in a population. Among these areas of importance are planning for later life challenges. With the growing number of transgender-identified and intersex/DSD-identified elders worldwide, we hope to gain more information about how transgender-identified and intersex/DSD-identified persons are preparing for later-life. Your information will be used to help develop positive aging programs for intersex/DSD-identified and transgender-identified individuals. This research represents first of a kind research in this area. If you decide to take part, we will ask you to fill out the online survey located at the following web-address https://survey.vcu.edu/surveys/TAKT5X
The investigator is Professor Tarynn M. Witten. If you have questions, please feel free to ask Dr. Witten. She can be reached at (804) 827-7371 [office], (804) 519-7121 [cell], tmwitten@vcu.edu [email], http://www.people.vcu.edu/~tmwitten [web]. She has been actively working in the field of gender and aging.
Lesbian Home Movie Project (LHMP)
Do you have 8 mm, super 8, or 16 mm film turning to vinegar or mold in a hot dusty closet or damp basement? Video tape? Maybe moving images of friends? A softball game? A picnic? Want to view them again? To save them for history? For more information about saving your old lesbian home movies email project director and OLOC member Sharon Thompson at sharonthompson12@gmail.com. |
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On Going Support Groups | |
LGBT Caregiver Support Group:
Open to anyone providing care for a loved one. First Monday of every month, 6:00pm to 7:30pm in Jamaica Plain. Free. Contact Joanne Peskowitz, LICSW for more information: (617) 271-4182. Sponsored by Caregiver Alliance of Suffolk County.
LGBT Bereavement Groups: For LGBT people of all ages coping with the loss of a loved one. Free six-week support group. To find a group in your area contact Bob Linscott (617) 522-1292. Funded by The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and facilitated by Ethos and The LGBT Aging Project. |
| LGBT Community Meal Programs |
 We are pleased to have a whole section dedicated to the different LGBT Community Meal Programs that are starting to emerge across the state. We now have a nice variety of offerings from weekly luncheons, monthly brunches, a monthly women's program and two monthly supper programs. There is also a nice diversity in the location for each of the five programs.
Boston/Back Bay:
Cafe Emmanuel: "The Original LGBT Meal Site!"
When: Every Thursday 11am to 1:00pm Where: Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street Boston, MA RSVP: to cafeemmanuel@ethocare.org or call (617) 477-6610 Sponsored by: Ethos & The LGBT Aging Project Music Program: 1st and 3rd Thursdays every month Roslindale: Out to Brunch: Monthly Brunch & Social for Older LBT Women & Their Friends When: First Saturday of every month 11am to 1:00pm
Where:Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street Roslindale, MA
RSVP: to outtobrunch@gmail.com or call (617) 522-6700 x306 Sponsored by: Ethos &The LGBT Aging Project
South Shore: Monthly Brunch for LGBT Seniors & Friends When: Last Saturday of Every Month, 10am to 12pm Where: All Souls Unitarian Church, 196 Elm Street, Braintree, MA RSVP: Maryanne Ryan 781-848-3939 x 325 or email lgbtseniors@sselder.org for more information. Sponsored by: South Shore Elder Services Somerville/Cambridge:
Cadbury Cafe: Somerville & Cambridge's First LGBT Monthly Dining Program
When: 4th Wednesday of Every Month, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Cadbury Commons, 66 Sherman Street, Cambridge, MA
RSVP: by calling SCES (617) 628-2601 ext. 605 or email lgbtcafe@eldercare.orgSponsored by: Somerville Cambridge Elder Services, Cambridge Council on Aging and Cadbury Commons
North Shore:
Over The Rainbow Supper Club
When: 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: House of Seven Gables, 115 Derby Street, Salem MA
RSVP: (978) 624-2261
Sponsored by: The Old and Bold Coalition, North Shore Elder Services' outreach to the LGBT Community on the North Shore |
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Support The Important Work Of The LGBT Aging Project |
Our mission is to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders and caregivers
have equal access to the life-prolonging benefits, protections, services, and institutions
that their heterosexual neighbors take for granted. Through cultural competency trainings, policy advocacy and outreach we help LGBT elders grow older with the dignity and respect they deserve.
You can support our mission by making a tax deductible donation or bequest.
Help us ensure equal access and respect for ALL LGBT elders and caregivers.
>>Click here to make an online donation on our secure web site.
If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor of the LGBT Aging Project,
please contact Lisa Krinsky (click to email) or call 617.522.1292
If someone sent you this email, click here to be added to our mailing list for future monthly newsletters from the LGBT Aging Project. |
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