LBGT OAMarketResearch Rpt - SAGE...Research Center for their indispensable advice throughout the life of this project. ABOUT NIELSEN AND THE HARRIS POLL On February 3, 2014, Nielsen

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THE EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES OFLESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER OLDER ADULTS, AGES 45-75

© 2014 SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SAGE would like to thank the Gill Foundation for itsgenerous support of this research initiative and report.We are deeply grateful to David Krane, Marjie Sandsand John Simmons at Harris Poll for leading this LGBT older adult market research study—and to BobWiteck at Witeck Communications for his invaluableinsights and guidance on emerging LGBT householdsand markets. Finally, we would like to express ourgratitude to Rebecca Gillan (Senior Vice President) andJohn Hagerty (Senior Strategic Advisor) at the AARPResearch Center for their indispensable advicethroughout the life of this project.

ABOUT NIELSEN AND THE HARRIS POLL

On February 3, 2014, Nielsen acquired HarrisInteractive and The Harris Poll. Nielsen Holdings N.V. is a global information and measurement companywith leading market positions in marketing andconsumer information, television and other mediameasurement, online intelligence and mobilemeasurement. Nielsen has a presence in approximately100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands. For more information,visit nielsen.com.

A NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY

“Older people” and “older adults” are used interchangeablythroughout this report to describe the age sample of this study: people between the ages of 45 and 75. In order to compareexperiences between age brackets, in some instances we use the term “younger” (older) people to refer to people ages 45-59 and “older” (older) people to describe people ages 60-75. When comparing transgender respondents to non-transgenderrespondents, we use the term “cisgender” to refer to non-transgender respondents. Research: Harris Poll

Author: Robert EspinozaDesign: RD | DesignIllustration: Delo

THE EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES OF LGBT OLDER ADULTS, AGES 45-75 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS4 INTRODUCTION

6 METHODOLOGY

7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

8 Key Findings10 Conclusion and Recommendations

11 DETAILED FINDINGS

12 Issues with Aging13 Healthcare15 Finance and Retirement17 Support Systems19 Housing20 Sources of Information

21 CONCLUSION

22 Limitations

23 Discussion and Recommendations23 Issues with Aging24 Healthcare24 Finance and Retirement25 Support Systems26 Housing 27 Sources of Information

28 Future Directions for Research

30 REFERENCES

4 OUT AND VISIBLE

Out and Visible: The Experiencesand Attitudes of Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual and Transgender OlderAdults, Ages 45-75 examines the values, needs, wants andlifestyle preferences of LGBT olderpeople. This study explores theaging realities of LGBT people, aswell as their fears, beliefs,behaviors and aspirations in areassuch as healthcare, finance andretirement, support systems,housing and sources ofinformation. SAGE also recognizesthat this country has grownincreasingly diverse in its racial andethnic composition, and thatwomen and transgender people(as two examples) often require

unique supports. Thus, this studytakes a closer look at the extent towhich African Americans,Hispanics, women and transgenderpeople have unique considerationswithin a diverse LGBT market.

Out and Visible reveals variousinsights about LGBT older people inthis country, including:

• Profound concerns about aging,including physical decline,remaining independent, lonelinessin older age, and the loss ofsupport systems and physicalattractiveness;

• A fear of judgment and inferiorcare from healthcare providers,with many LGBT older people notdisclosing their sexual orientationsor gender identities to theirproviders;

• Financial insecurity inretirement years, including a fearof cuts in essential governmentprograms, concerns that one’ssavings will run out and delayedretirement;

in the U.S. are at the nexus of two highly visible national trends.

The first trend is demographic: every day, 10,000 people turn 65, a shift that will rapidlyage this country and dramatically impact the lives of LGBT people who often grow olderwithout sufficient supports, resources or rights. The second trend is cultural: as LGBT people gradually achieve significant (though limited and not yet equal) legal rights, makingit easier for certain segments to live openly as LGBT people, the public has becomeincreasingly allied with their LGBT family members and friends, and invested in the LGBTexperience. Yet while these two trends have magnified the visibility of aging in America, as well as the barriers affecting LGBT people, the relationship between aging and LGBT liferemains largely understudied. This study seeks to make more visible the concerns and aspirations of LGBT older people across the spectrum.

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) OLDER ADULTS

INTRODUCTION

CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES SUGGEST THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN 3 MILLION LGBT PEOPLE AGE 55 AND OLDER IN THE U.S., AND THAT THIS NUMBER WILL DOUBLEIN THE NEXT TWO DECADES AS THE BABY BOOM GENERATION FULLY RETIRES.

• Smaller support systems overtime, including high numbers ofLGBT older people living single,alone and fearing discrimination inhousing and long-term caresettings;

• The desire to serve as mentorsonce retired, as well as engage in travel, leisure activities,volunteering, part-timeemployment and social groups;and

• Differences in aging concernsand aspirations amongtransgender people, AfricanAmericans, Hispanics and women(among others), which suggeststailored approaches to moreunderserved segments of the LGBTolder adult population.

Out and Visible details a uniquelycomprehensive, nationallyrepresentative quantitative studyon aging among older LGBT people.Its timeliness and comprehensivescope are in line with SAGE’spurpose as an organization, whichhas been dedicated to innovationin LGBT aging for more than 35years. Throughout the decades,SAGE has pioneered services andprograms, policy initiatives, onlineresources and training initiativesthat have transformed the agingexperiences of LGBT peoplenationwide. Out and Visiblereaffirms SAGE’s premiere standingin leading essential interventionsthat respond to the most pressingissues facing LGBT older people.

Ultimately, Out and Visible aims to make LGBT people more visibleas a population and as a market to the wide array of providers,

businesses, community advocates,policy leaders and mediaprofessionals who are positionedto improve their overall quality oflife. Together, we can reach adiverse population that hasremained underserved for too long,while helping them attain a full lifethat’s financially secure, free ofdiscrimination, surrounded bycommunity and replete with thetypes of leisure, activities andchosen careers that they deserve,regardless of age, sexualorientation or gender identity,among other characteristics. Weinvite you to join us in making ourvaried aging experiences as LGBT people more "out and visible"—and in turn, more satisfying andrewarding.

SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders)October 2014


INTRODUCTION

DID YOUKNOW?

6 OUT AND VISIBLE

The data used in this report camefrom an 18-minute online surveyconducted by Harris Poll on behalfof SAGE. A sample of 2,376 peopleages 45-75 were surveyed online.The study was fielded betweenMarch 4, 2014 and March 21, 2014.Using figures from Harris Poll’sproprietary LGBT archive, data wereweighted for education, age bygender, race and ethnicity, regionand household income, wherenecessary, to align the respondentdata with the U.S. population dataon LGBT residents, ages 45-75 andnon-LGBT residents, ages 45-75.Additionally, Harris Poll’s weightingalgorithm allowed for adjustmentsthat accounted for attitudinal andbehavioral differences between

those who are online from thosewho are not; those who join onlineresearch panels from those who do not; and those who respondedto this survey and those who didnot. Finally, LGBT African American and Hispanic respondents wereoversampled to ensure a sufficientnumber of completed interviewsfor analysis. For more informationon why and how distinctsubpopulations were studied,please see the “limitations section”on page 22 of this report.

BACKGROUND

In 2012, SAGE commissioned Harris Poll to lead a two-yearmarket research study focused

on the values, needs, wants andlifestyle preferences of LGBT olderpeople. The first phase of the studywas qualitative and took place inearly 2013. A diverse cross-sectionof LGBT people age 45 and olderparticipated in online bulletinboards. Participants were split intotwo samples, ages 45-59 and age60 and older, with an equal splitbetween higher annual householdincomes ($50,000 and higher) and lower annual householdincomes (less than $50,000) foreach group. The results of thisqualitative study were used toidentify themes and insights thatinformed the quantitative studydescribed in this report.

DEMOGRAPHICCHARACTERISTICS OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS

(N =2,376)

LGBT, TOTAL N = 1,857

Age 45-59 1,13360-75 724

Gender and Transgender StatusMale 1,185Female 669Transgender 137

Race and EthnicityWhite/Other 1,549African American 147Hispanic 161

Annual Household IncomeLess than $50,000 856$50,000 to $74,999 362$75,000 to $99,999 250$100,000 or more 330

NON-LGBT, TOTAL N = 519 Age 45-59 27260-75 247

Gender Male 252Female 267

METHODOLOGY

7

In early 2014, SAGE commissioned Harris Poll to conducta uniquely comprehensive, nationally representativequantitative study on the values, needs, wants andlifestyle preferences of LGBT older people between ages 45 and 75. The study included 1,857 LGBT peopleand 519 non-LGBT people, and was conducted March 4-21, 2014. What follows are key findings from the study across six general areas: issues with aging,healthcare, finance and retirement, support systems,housing and sources of information. Out and Visible: The Experiences and Attitudes of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexualand Transgender Older Adults, Ages 45-75 aims to make LGBT people more visible as a population and as a market to the wide array of providers, businesses,community advocates, policy leaders and mediaprofessionals who are positioned to improve the qualityof life for LGBT older people.

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

When it comes to aging,LGBT older people are moreconcerned than non-LGBT

older people with regard topersonal finances, physicaldecline, remaining independent,loneliness in older age, support systems and physicalattractiveness.

Aging concerns in general arehighest among LGBT older peoplein their 40’s and 50’s, low-incomepeople, women, transgenderpeople, African Americans andHispanics. For example, one in two(51%) LGBT older people is very or extremely concerned about“having enough money to live on,”as compared to 36% of non-LGBTpeople; and one in three (32%)LGBT older people is very orextremely concerned about “being lonely and growing oldalone,” as compared to 19% ofnon-LGBT people.

Many LGBT older peoplereport that their primaryhealthcare providers do not

know about their sexualorientations, and many feelreluctant to discuss their sexualorientations and gender identitieswith other healthcare providersfor fear of being judged orreceiving inferior care.

In particular, transgender olderpeople fear that they will experiencelimited access to healthcareproviders and be denied medicaltreatment as they age. Forty-threepercent of LGBT older people whoare single and 40% of LGBT olderpeople in their 60s and 70s saytheir healthcare providers don’tknow their sexual orientations. Two-thirds of transgender adults (65%)feel that there will be limited accessto healthcare as they grow older.

LGBT older people are far more concerned thannon-LGBT older people

about their financial security and retirement: as one example,far more LGBT older people thannon-LGBT older people expressunease about having savedenough money to retire.

Like their non-LGBT counterparts,LGBT older people are concernedabout the consequences ofpotential cuts in programs critical totheir retirement, such as SocialSecurity. Forty-two percent of LGBTolder people are very or extremelyconcerned that they will outlive the money they have saved forretirement, as compared to 25% of non-LGBT people; and 44% ofLGBT older people are very orextremely concerned that they willhave to work well beyondretirement age in order to haveenough money to live, as comparedto 26% of non-LGBT people.

When planning forretirement, both LGBT and non-LGBT older people

rely largely on their ownknowledge and education.

However, LGBT older people (21% vs. 13%) are more likely thannon-LGBT older people to rely ongovernment tools when planningfor retirement, while non-LGBTolder people (37% vs. 28%) aremore likely than LGBT older peopleto use the services of a financialadvisor.

While most LGBT olderpeople age 60 and olderreport being retired, many

of those who are not retiredanticipate working, on average,until age 69.

Moreover, half of all single LGBTolder people believe that they willhave to work well beyond retirementage. Additionally, 37% of LGBT olderpeople, ages 45-59, anticipate that,on average, they will retire at age65, and 26% do not know whenthey will be able to retire.

Among the types ofactivities they would like to enjoy in retirement,

both LGBT older people and non-LGBT older people cite leisureactivities, travel, volunteering,starting a hobby, working part-time and joining social groups.

Key Findings

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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8 OUT AND VISIBLE

However, LGBT older people aremore likely to see themselves asmentors, and non-LGBT olderpeople are more likely to say theywill spend their retirement timewith their families and friends.Additionally, partnered LGBT olderadults are much more likely thansingle LGBT older adults to envisionspending their retirement yearsenjoying leisure activities (64% vs.55%), traveling (62% vs. 46%) andspending time with family andfriends (51% vs. 39%).

Many LGBT older peopleare concerned thatvolunteering and working

during their retirement years willbe hindered if others know abouttheir sexual orientations andgender identities.

Yet LGBT older people are lesslikely than non-LGBT older peopleto say that their age will be abarrier to these activities. One infour (27%) LGBT older adults feelsthat work or volunteer activities willnot be open to him/her if othersknow about his/her sexualorientation, and one in three (33%)transgender adults feels thosesame activities will not beaccessible if others know abouthis/her gender identity.

LGBT older people aremore likely than their non-LGBT peers to live alone,

have smaller support networksover time and are less satisfiedwith the information they receiverelated to support systems.

LGBT African American andtransgender older people are morelikely than their peers to report thatpeople from their churches or faithare part of their support networks.About one in three (34%) LGBTolder people lives alone, while 40%of LGBT older people say that theirsupport networks have becomesmaller over time. African AmericanLGBT adults are three times as likelyas White or Hispanic LGBT adults tosay that people from their churchesor faith are part of their supportsystems (26% vs. 8% and 8%).

LGBT older people reportfearing and experiencingdiscrimination in housing

and long-term care environments,respectively—and many LGBTpeople are interested in LGBT-friendly affordable housing.

One in eight (13%) LGBT adults and one in four (25%) transgenderadults say that they have beendiscriminated against whensearching for housing on the basisof their sexual orientations andgender identities, respectively.Forty-four percent of LGBT olderadults are very or extremely

interested in living in an affordableLGBT-friendly housing developmentat some point in the future.

When seeking informationon aging, both LGBT andnon-LGBT people are likely

to rely on the internet, as well asfamily and friends, as their topsources. Among LGBT olderpeople, women are more likelythan men to rely on governmentsources, and men are more likelythan women to rely on socialmedia. Additionally, AfricanAmerican LGBT older people aremuch more likely than both Whitesand Hispanic LGBT older people toconsult government sources forinformation on aging (37% vs. 23%vs. 20%). “Younger” LGBT adults(aged 45 – 59) are much morelikely than “older” LGBT adults(aged 60-75) to rely on friends andfamily members as sources ofinformation on aging (42% vs.34%), while “older” LGBT adults aremuch more likely to rely onprofessionals (42% vs. 34%) andnon-profit organizations (44% vs.31%) than their younger LGBTcounterparts.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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10 OUT AND VISIBLE

Conclusions and RecommendationsThe results of this study attest to the importance of creatingwelcoming environments thatsupport LGBT older people invarious aspects of their lives.Concerns about aging are highamong LGBT older people(especially among Hispanics,African Americans, women,transgender people and singlepeople, as notable examples), and they need to feel welcome asLGBT people in the aging and long-term care systems, and asolder adults in LGBT communities.

Many LGBT older people report notdisclosing their identities to theirhealthcare providers for fear ofbeing judged; this information canbe systematized into the patientintake process and paired withproper training, policies andprotocols to ensure that LGBTpatients are identified and treatedproperly by healthcare providers.Likewise, financial professionals,nonprofit organizations andgovernment agencies are positionedto improve their offerings to LGBTolder people so that they prepareproperly for their retirement andfeel more secure about theirfinancial futures. Because manyLGBT older people anticipateworking well beyond retirementage, they need proper legalprotections in the workplace and

access to employment programsthat speak to them as LGBT olderpeople dealing with age- and LGBT-related biases in employment.

Many LGBT older people reportliving alone, being single andseeing their support networksbecome smaller over time; LGBTaging programs can fill this gap,but these types of supports needmore funding support andwidespread expansion. Mainstreamaging providers can also benefitfrom LGBT cultural competencetraining, and aging programsrooted in definitions of “family” and“next of kin” should be expandedto include friends, caregivers andothers who are central to LGBTpeople. As the economy worsensand housing insecurity increases,LGBT older people face additionalchallenges when they encounterdiscrimination in housing and long-term care settings. Stronger legalprotections are needed in theseareas at federal, state and locallevels. Additionally, LGBT olderpeople could benefit from LGBTsenior housing, along with an arrayof complementary housingsupports and policy improvements.

Finally, without accurateinformation that reaches LGBTolder people through properchannels, LGBT older people mightlack the information they need to

make wise choices earlier in theiraging lives. Further research shouldhelp the public and private sectorsgrasp how LGBT older people canaccess better information on allaspects of their lives. In themeantime, the current informationemanating from the public andprivate sector should be increased,made more readily available, andvetted for accuracy, accessibilityand LGBT-inclusivity.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Visit sageusa.org for moreinformation on this national study,including the full report andexecutive summary, the surveyquestionnaire and frequently askedquestions (FAQ). Also, if you’reinterested in partnering with SAGEto understand key areas of thisreport in more depth, or to explorehow SAGE can support yourorganizational and businessstrategies related to LGBT olderpeople, please contact us at 212-741-2247 or email us [email protected].

WANT TOKNOW MORE?

11

A quality of life as one ages requires financial security,affordable and quality housing, strong support networks,meaningful and enjoyable activities, and accurateinformation to deal with life's options and stressors. Yet as the findings described in this report attest, manyLGBT older people are concerned that they will not havethe funds necessary to retire, and in turn anticipateworking beyond retirement age. Additionally, many LGBT older people are single, living alone and reportsmaller support networks over time. They also reportdiscrimination when seeking housing and fear how theywill be treated in assisted living and other long-term care environments. Yet LGBT older people are multi-faceted. This study shows that LGBT people are alsomore likely to be mentors than their non-LGBT peers, rely on their knowledge and networks for informationrelated to aging, and many aspire to live an older life of leisure, travel and volunteering.

DETAILEDFINDINGS

Research has long been concerned with understanding how people feel about their agingover time—what drives their feelings and choices; differences among types of older people;and what compels joy and satisfaction on one end of the spectrum, and what spursloneliness and isolation on the other end. A 2013 AARP study on attitudes about agingfound that, depending on one’s health, many older people define “old” as cohorts olderthan themselves. Also, having a purpose in life, feelings of connectedness and the treatmentthat older people receive from others as they age are only a few factors that affectsatisfaction in later life.1 A 2012 national health study on LGBT older people found that 74%are satisfied with their lives, though that same study also found significant disparities inareas related to community belonging, social support, internalized stigma, health behaviors,caregiving and more.2 Thus, this study asked LGBT older people to report their concerns ona variety of issues related to their aging lives.

Issues with Aging

DETAILED FINDINGS

When it comes to aging, LGBTolder people are more concernedthan non-LGBT older people with regard to personal finances,physical decline, remainingindependent, loneliness in olderage, support systems andphysical attractiveness.

• 51% of LGBT older people are very or extremely concerned abouthaving enough money to live on, as compared to 36% of non-LGBTolder people.

• 43% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned about declining physical health, as compared to 33% of non-LGBTolder people.

• 33% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned aboutdepending on others for money, as compared to 18% of non-LGBTolder people.

• 43% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned aboutnot being able to take care ofthemselves, as compared to 34%of non-LGBT people.

• 32% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned aboutbeing lonely and growing oldalone, as compared to 19% of non-LGBT older people.

• 30% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned aboutnot having someone to take care ofthem, as compared to 16% of non-LGBT older people.

• 21% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned aboutlosing their physical attractiveness,as compared to 12% of non-LGBTpeople.

51%OF LGBT OLDERPEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY TO LIVE ON AS THEY AGE.

12 OUT AND VISIBLE

Aging concerns in general arehighest among LGBT older peoplein their 40’s and 50’s, low-incomepeople, women, transgenderpeople, African Americans andHispanics.

• LGBT older women are moreconcerned than LGBT older menwith having enough money to liveon (57% vs. 49%); not being able totake care of themselves (51% vs.39%); and being a burden to thosethey love (42% vs. 30%).

• Transgender older people tend to be more worried about being a burden to their loved ones (48% vs. 32%); knowing wherethey will live as they grow older

(42% vs. 27%); and losing theirphysical attractiveness (31% vs. 20%) than their cisgender(non-transgender) peers.

• African American and Hispanic LGBTolder people are more concernedthan White LGBT older people when itcomes to being a burden to theirloved ones (43% vs. 29%).

• Nearly half of Hispanic LGBT olderpeople (45%) are concerned aboutlosing their partners.

• Concerns regarding the loss ofphysical attractiveness are morepronounced for Hispanic LGBTolder people than their racial andethnic peers—34% vs. 22% forolder LGBT African Americans and18% for older White LGBT people.

DETAILED FINDINGS

Previous research has found significant health disparities among LGBT older people in areasrelated to physical and mental health, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes,heart disease, HIV/AIDS, depression and more.3 Health disparities among LGBT people havebeen linked to a lifetime of stigma, discrimination, violence and victimization; higher povertyrates; a lack of access to LGBT-competent providers; and low rates of health insurancecoverage. In turn, improving the health of LGBT people can improve health and well-being,reduce healthcare costs, increase the length and quality of life and reduce the spread ofdisease. Further, open communication between providers and LGBT patients allows providersto better identify, understand and treat LGBT patients, and some research has shown thatpatients who disclose their sexual orientations might also feel safer discussing their riskbehaviors.4 Thus, LGBT older people in this study were asked about their experiences withhealthcare providers and their feelings about being open about their sexual orientations and gender identities.

Healthcare


34%OF HISPANICLGBT OLDER PEOPLE

22%OF AFRICAN-AMERICANLGBT OLDER PEOPLE

18%OF WHITELGBT OLDER PEOPLE

PERCENTAGES OF LGBTOLDER PEOPLE CONCERNEDABOUT LOSING THEIRATTRACTIVENESS AS THEY AGE.

Many LGBT older people reportthat their primary healthcareproviders do not know about theirsexual orientations, and manyfeel reluctant to discuss theirsexual orientations and genderidentities with other healthcareproviders for fear of being judgedor receiving inferior care. Inparticular, transgender olderpeople fear that they willexperience limited access tohealthcare and be denied medicaltreatment as they age.

• 36% of LGBT older people—ormore than one in three people—say that their primary healthcareproviders are unaware of theirsexual orientations. Forty-threepercent of LGBT older people whoare single and 40% of LGBT olderpeople in their 60s and 70s saytheir healthcare providers don’tknow about their sexualorientations.

• While most LGBT older people(65%) say that their relationshipswith their primary healthcareproviders are open and honest,nearly one in four (23%) arereluctant to discuss certain issuesfor fear of being judged.

• LGBT older men are moreconcerned than LGBT older womenabout being judged by theirhealthcare providers (25% vs.18%). More than one-third (35%) of transgender adults are concernedabout being similarly judged.

• One in five LGBT older people(20%) and nearly half oftransgender older people (44%)feel that their relationships withother healthcare providers—suchas hospital or nursing home staff—would be adversely affected if their sexual orientations/genderidentities were known.

• Hispanic LGBT older people aremore concerned than AfricanAmerican LGBT older people andWhite LGBT older people about thequality of care they would receivefrom these other providers, if theirsexual orientations were known(34% vs. 23% and 16%).

• Two-thirds of transgender olderpeople (65%) feel that there will be limited access to healthcare asthey grow older and more than half (55%) feel that they will bedenied medical treatment becauseof their ages.

14 OUT AND VISIBLE

DETAILED FINDINGS

PERCENTAGE OFTRANSGENDER OLDERPEOPLE WHO BELIEVEHEALTHCARE WILL BE LIMITED OR DENIED AS THEY AGE.

LIMITED

65%DENIED

55%

LGBT older people are far moreconcerned than non-LGBT olderpeople about their financialsecurity and retirement: as oneexample, far more LGBT olderpeople than non-LGBT older peopleexpress unease about havingsaved enough money to retire.

• 47% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned thatthey will not be able to live thelives they want in retirement due tolack of money, as compared to28% of non-LGBT older people.

• 44% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned thatthey will have to work well beyondretirement age just to have enoughmoney to live, as compared to 26% of non-LGBT older people.

• 42% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned thatthey will outlive the money theyhave saved for retirement, ascompared to 25% of non-LGBTolder people.

• 43% of LGBT older people arevery or extremely concerned thatthey will not be able to deal withunexpected, major emergencies inretirement, as compared to 30% ofnon-LGBT older people.

Like their non-LGBT counterparts,LGBT older people are concernedabout the consequences ofpotential cuts in programs criticalto their retirement, such as Social Security.

• Social Security is the resourcethat most LGBT (83%) and non-LGBT (86%) older people say theyare depending on to fund theirretirement years.

• Both LGBT (58%) and non-LGBTolder people (56%) express highlevels of concern over the impactthat cuts in government spendingwill have on their future financialsecurity and on such governmentprograms as Social Security,Medicare or Medicaid.

• 67% of LGBT older people withannual incomes less than $50,000are concerned that cuts in SocialSecurity, Medicare or Medicaid willmake these programs unavailableor offer them at reduced levels.

Recent research has documented profound retirement insecurities among the U.S.population. A 2012 report on retirement confidence found that only 14% of Americans arevery confident they will have enough money to live on in retirement, and 60% of workershave a total savings and investments of less than $25,000. More than half report that they have not calculated what they will need financially to live in retirement.5 Financialprofessionals, nonprofits, online companies and others can help adults earlier in life totake measures that will secure their retirement financial picture, but it remains unclear the extent to which LGBT people are planning for their retirement, as well as how theyfeel about their retirement years.6 LGBT older people are particularly vulnerable tofinancial insecurity due to employment concerns, a lifetime of discrimination and smallersupport networks. Thus, this study asked LGBT older people about their aspirations and concerns regarding retirement, as well as what types of activities they areundertaking to plan and enjoy their retirement years.

Finances and Retirement


DETAILED FINDINGS

16 OUT AND VISIBLE

DETAILED FINDINGS

When planning for retirement,both LGBT and non-LGBT olderpeople rely largely on their own knowledge and education.However, LGBT older people are more likely to draw ongovernment sources, while non-LGBT older people are morelikely to use financial advisors for retirement planning.

• Both LGBT (57%) and non-LGBT(54%) older people say they aremost likely to rely on their ownknowledge and education whenplanning for retirement.

• LGBT older people (21% vs. 13%)are more likely than non-LGBTolder people to rely on governmenttools when planning for retirement,while non-LGBT older people (37%vs. 28%) are more likely than LGBTolder people to use the services ofa financial advisor.

While most LGBT older people age60 and older report being retired,many of those who are not retiredanticipate working, on average,until age 69. Moreover, half of allsingle LGBT older people believethat they will have to work wellbeyond retirement age.

• While most (70%) LGBT olderpeople ages 60-75 are retired, 13%anticipate that, on average, they willhave to work until age 69 beforethey can retire. Another 10% feelthat they will never be able to retireor don’t know when they can retire.

• 37% of LGBT older people ages45-59 anticipate that, on average,they will retire at age 65, and 26%do not know when they will beable to retire.

• Half (50%) of single LGBT olderpeople feel that they will have towork well beyond retirement age,as compared to 36% of partneredLGBT older people and 27% ofsingle non-LGBT older people.

Among the types of activities theywould like to enjoy in retirement,both LGBT older people and non-LGBT older people cite leisureactivities, travel, volunteering,starting a hobby, working part-time and joining social groups.However, LGBT older people aremore likely to see themselves asmentors, and non-LGBT olderpeople are more likely to say theywill spend their retirement timewith their families and friends.

• LGBT and non-LGBT older peopleare similar in what they want to do during retirement. During theirretirement years, roughly three infive LGBT and non-LGBT olderpeople (59% vs. 65%) look forward to enjoying leisure activities, andabout half (53% vs. 55%) want to travel. Other similarities include:volunteering (40% LGBT vs. 40% non-LGBT); starting a hobby (33% vs. 34%); getting a part-timejob (28% vs. 27%); and joining asocial group (19% vs. 19%).

• Non-LGBT older people (59%) are more likely to say that they willspend their time in retirement with family and friends than LGBTolder people (45%).

• While the percentage is small, LGBT older people are twice as likely as non-LGBT older people toenvision themselves mentoringothers (14% vs. 7%).

50%OF SINGLELGBT OLDER PEOPLE

36%OF PARTNEREDLGBT OLDER PEOPLE

PERCENTAGES OF LGBTOLDER PEOPLE WHO FEEL THEY WILL NEED TO WORK WELL BEYONDRETIREMENT AGE.

Support systems are essential to all people as they age, especially LGBT people whomight be at greater risk of social isolation. Previous research has found that LGBT olderpeople are twice as likely to live alone, twice as likely to be single, and 3 to 4 times less likely to have children—and many are estranged from their biological families.7

These supports are critical in helping people deal with daily tasks and cope with largerphysical, financial and emotional life challenges and transitions. A 2011 national healthstudy on LGBT older adults found that 53% of respondents felt isolated from others.8

Without strong support systems, older people might lack the supports they need to copewith later life—much less enjoy it. Thus, LGBT older people in this study were asked todescribe their living arrangements and support systems over time.

Support Systems

DETAILED FINDINGS


• Partnered LGBT older people aremuch more likely than single LGBTolder people to envision spendingtheir retirement years enjoyingleisure activities (64% vs. 55%),traveling (62% vs. 46%) or spendingmore time with family and friends(51% vs. 39%).

Many LGBT older people areconcerned that volunteering andworking during their retirementyears will be hindered if others know about their sexualorientations and gender identities.Yet LGBT older people are lesslikely than non-LGBT older peopleto say that their age will be abarrier to these activities.

• When volunteering or working inretirement, LGBT older people areless worried than non-LGBT olderpeople that their ages will preventsome opportunities from beingopen to them: 63% of LGBT olderpeople say that age is not a concernvs. 51% of non-LGBT older people.

• However, one in four (27%) LGBTolder people feels that work orvolunteer activities will not be opento him/her if others know abouthis/her sexual orientation.

• One in three (33%) transgenderolder people feels that work/volunteer activities will not be opento him/her if others know abouthis/her gender identity. Another onein three (38%) transgender olderpeople is not sure how theseopportunities will be affected.

1 IN 4 LGBT OLDER PEOPLE AND 1 IN 3TRANSGENDER OLDERPEOPLE FEAR THATVOLUNTEER ACTIVITIESWILL NOT BE OPEN TO THEM IN OLDER AGE IF THEIR SEXUALORIENTATIONS ORGENDER IDENTITIESBECOME KNOWN.

LGBT older people are more likelythan their non-LGBT peers to live alone, have smaller supportnetworks over time and are lesssatisfied with the informationthey receive related to supportsystems. LGBT African Americanand transgender older people aremore likely than their peers toreport that people from theirchurches or faith are part of theirsupport networks.

• About one in three (34%) LGBT older people lives alone, as compared to 21% of non-LGBT people.

• 48% of LGBT older people areliving with spouses or partners, as compared to 70% of non-LGBTolder people. LGBT older womenare far more likely than LGBT older men to live with a partner or spouse (59% vs 43%) and lesslikely to live alone (25% vs. 38%).

• 40% of LGBT older people saythat their support networks havebecome smaller over time, ascompared to 27% of non-LGBTolder people.

• Only one in three LGBT olderpeople (38%) is satisfied with theinformation he/she receives aboutpersonal support systems, ascompared to nearly half (49%) ofnon-LGBT older people.

• African American LGBT olderpeople are three times as likely asWhite or Hispanic LGBT olderpeople to say that people fromtheir churches or faith are part oftheir support systems (26% vs. 8% and 8%).

• Transgender older people are far more likely than cisgender (non-transgender) older people to say that their churches/faith(23% vs. 9%) or religious figures(15% vs. 7%) are part of theirsupport networks.

DETAILED FINDINGS

18 OUT AND VISIBLE

26%OF AFRICAN-AMERICANLGBT OLDER PEOPLE

8%0F WHITELGBT OLDER PEOPLE

8%OF HISPANICLGBT OLDER PEOPLE

PERCENTAGES OF LGBT OLDER PEOPLE WHO SAYTHAT PEOPLE FROM THEIR CHURCHES OR FAITH ARE PART OF THEIRSUPPORT NETWORKS.

LGBT older people reportexperiencing and fearingdiscrimination in housing andassisted-living environments,respectively—and many LGBTpeople are interested in LGBT-friendly affordable housing.

• One in eight (13%) LGBT olderpeople says that he or she hasbeen discriminated against whensearching for housing on the basis of sexual orientation.

• One in four (25%) transgenderolder people reports experiencinghousing discrimination on thebasis of gender identity.

• One in four non-White LGBT olderpeople (24%) reports experiencinghousing discrimination on the

basis of race or ethnicity, ascompared to 18% of non-White,non-LGBT older people.

• One in six (17%) LGBT olderpeople is very or extremelyconcerned that he or she will bediscriminated against if others in an assisted-living community know about his/her sexualorientation or gender identity.

• 78% of LGBT older people are atleast somewhat interested in livingin an affordable LGBT-friendlyhousing development at somepoint in the future—with 44% beingvery/extremely interested in suchcommunities.

Research and experience have shown that LGBT older people struggle to secure safe and affordable housing, whether buying or renting a home, or residing in welcoming agingand long-term care settings. A recent 10-state investigation found that same-sex older couples experienced adverse differential treatment when attempting to access seniorhousing, and a 2011 report documented numerous incidents of LGBT bias and discriminationin independent living and assisted-living facilities.9 As one intervention, in a broader array of housing support possibilities, community advocates and developers have begun building LGBT senior housing complexes, which have increasingly captured the attention of the public and LGBT older people alike. A lack of secure housing can have detrimentaleffects on any older person—in particular, on LGBT older people who enter later life with diminished savings and profound legal, economic and cultural barriers. Thus, this study asked LGBT older people to describe their experiences and fears with regard tohousing, as well as their interests in living in LGBT-friendly housing.

Housing

DETAILED FINDINGS


78%OF LGBTOLDER PEOPLE ARE AT LEAST SOMEWHATINTERESTED IN LIVING IN LGBT-FRIENDLYAFFORDABLE HOUSING.

When seeking information onaging, both LGBT and non-LGBTolder people are likely to rely onthe internet, as well as family and friends, as their top sources.Among LGBT older people,women are more likely than mento rely on government sources,and men are more likely thanwomen to rely on social media.

• Both LGBT and non-LBGT olderpeople are most likely to rely onthe internet (40% vs. 38%) andfamily and friends (40% vs. 40%)as their primary sources ofinformation on aging.

• LGBT older women are morelikely than non-LGBT older womento look to government sources forinformation on aging (26% vs.15%), while LGBT older men are

three times as likely as non-LGBTolder men to rely on social media(11% vs. 4%).

• Older LGBT African Americans are much more likely than bothLGBT older Whites and Hispanics to consult government sources for information on aging (37% vs.23% vs. 20%).

• “Younger” LGBT older people(aged 45-59) are much more likelythan “older” LGBT older people(aged 60-75) to rely on friends and family members as sources of information on aging (42% vs.34%), while “older” LGBT olderpeople are much more likely to relyon professionals (42% vs. 34%)and non-profit organizations (44%vs. 31%) than their “younger”counterparts.

What’s the best way to reach LGBT older people with essential information? New researchfrom AARP has found that most people of all ages prefer to receive their retirement plan documents in print formats instead of electronic formats.10 Additionally, internet usecontinues to increase steadily among older adults age 65 and older; the Pew ResearchCenter has found that 59% of older people age 65 and older go online, and 47% have ahigh-speed broadband connection. However, older people with lower incomes and educationalattainments have adopted the internet and broadband at lower levels than their moreaffluent, well-educated peers. Additionally, many older people face physical challenges withtechnology, are skeptical about its value and show difficulties in learning how to use it.11

Understanding where and how LGBT older people access information to address theirhealth, financial and other retirement questions is critical to supporting their choices overtime—yet this topic has not been sufficiently researched. Thus, this study asked LGBT older people about the sources they access for information on aging.

Sources of Information

DETAILED FINDINGS

20 OUT AND VISIBLE

40%OF LGBT OLDER PEOPLE RELY ONTHE INTERNET ANDTHEIR FAMILY/FRIENDS AS PRIMARY SOURCESOF INFORMATION ON AGING.

21

CONCLUSIONInformation is power—and this study significantly enhancesknowledge on the values, needs, wants and lifestylepreferences of LGBT older people, ages 45-75. The lessonsfrom this report should compel leaders across industries to account for the needs and interests of this growing thoughunderserved population—from the aging and long-term carefield to the LGBT nonprofit sector to the wide array of businessesinvested in the health and quality of life of all older people in this country. Yet while this study is both path-breaking andextensive, more research is necessary to better understandthe various areas covered in this report, as well as additionaltopics or distinct sub-groups of the LGBT older adultdemographic. The findings in this report should be read with a dose of caution, given some methodological limitations,and a great deal of possibility, given the vast opportunities.The more we know about the aging lives of LGBT people, themore we can ensure that they improve over time.

The methodology used for thissurvey resulted in a nationallyrepresentative sample of LGBTolder people between the ages of 45 and 75. However, thoughHarris Poll’s approach accountedfor attitudinal and behavioraldifferences between thoserespondents who are online andthose who are not (among othercharacteristics), it is possible thatthese findings might not fullyaccount for LGBT older people who do not use the internet.Additionally, the sample represents people who self-identifyas LGBT, and this might excludeolder people who do not self-identify for a variety of reasons,including generational differences.In particular, survey questions that accurately capture a person’stransgender status, especially in older age, are in their infancy of measurement in the researchfield, which might have affectedthe sample of transgender older adults.

In addition, African American andHispanic LGBT older people wereoversampled in this study to allowfor proper statistical analysis, yet because there are no nationalstudies that count the number of LGBT older people, we cannotprecisely understand whether the sample sizes for these twopopulation groups adequatelyrepresent the national populationsof LGBT African American andHispanic older people. Also, whilethe study includes 137 transgenderrespondents, and yields insightfulfindings on transgender olderpeople’s experiences and attitudes,it is difficult to discern whether this sample adequately representsthe population of transgenderolder people at large.

Finally, the data representsresponses from one point in time—March 2014—and therefore is notlongitudinal in nature. Cautionshould be exercised when drawingconclusions about the long-termnature of these findings.

Limitations

CONCLUSION

22 OUT AND VISIBLE

ISSUES WITH AGING

The results of this study depict a diverse population grappling with the personal and financialimplications of aging, revealingnumerous opportunities to ensurethat LGBT people have what they need in order to create asecure future. In many ways, LGBT older people are more likely than non-LGBT older people to beconcerned about various questionsrelated to aging. Will they befinancially secure? Will theybecome less physically attractive,or will they lose their physical and mental independence? Willthey become lonelier over time and have smaller support systems,which are critical to sustaining an engaged older life?

LGBT aging advocates have longargued that LGBT older peoplestruggle to find community in LGBTspaces, where youthfulness isrevered and older people are lessembraced, as well as in agingspaces that might be unwelcoming,even hostile, to LGBT people. These concerns might also be theresult of having experienced alifetime of discrimination that has yielded worse health outcomes,diminished savings and a distrustof institutions. Have LGBT older

people grown accustomed toexpect discrimination, and are theseaging concerns a manifestation ofthat general unease?

These questions and concernsshould incentivize the aging andlong-term care field to create morewelcoming environments, largelythrough LGBT cultural competencetraining for their management, staff members, volunteers andresidents. A trained environmentwill be more adept at reducingoverall bias and at establishingpolicies, protocols and programsthat account for the unique needsof LGBT older people. The findingsalso suggest that further researchis needed to better understandcertain segments of the LGBT olderadult population, across differentgeographic regions, as well asdiscreet topics that both expand on these subject matters andexplore new areas. Needsassessments, research and otherforms of systematic inquiry shouldbe funded and implemented tostudy the full diversity of this aging population.

Discussion and Recommendations

CONCLUSION


LGBT AGING ADVOCATESHAVE LONG ARGUEDTHAT LGBT OLDERPEOPLE STRUGGLE TOFIND COMMUNITY INLGBT SPACES, WHEREYOUTHFULNESS ISREVERED AND OLDERPEOPLE ARE LESSEMBRACED.

HEALTHCARE

Many LGBT older people report thatthey don’t disclose their sexualorientations and gender identitiesto their healthcare providers,fearing they will be judged (andtheir medical treatment will becompromised) if their providersknow of their identities. Thesefindings invoke the national healthsector’s focus on ensuring optimal,patient-centered care, as well asthe federal government’s renewedinterest in improving healthoutcomes and reducing disparitiesamong all Americans. If providersare not aware of their patients’sexual orientations and genderidentities, and that lack ofinformation is due in part to a fear of bias and discriminationfrom LGBT people themselves, the integrity of the patient-provider relationship has beencompromised. Proper healthtreatment requires candidcommunication between patientsand providers, and LGBT patientsdeserve professional interactionsthat affirm their sexual and genderidentities at all ages. Without these norms, LGBT people will beleft behind in any national initiativemeant to improve the country’soverall health and well-being.

Based on the findings from thisstudy, healthcare providers shouldimprove their interactions withLGBT patients to provide betterpatient-centered care. Questionsregarding sexual orientation and gender identity should beintegrated into clinical settings sothat medical professionals capture

demographic data during theintake process that identifies LGBTpeople—this limits the chancesthat an LGBT person mightwithhold this information for fear of being judged. These questionsrequire proper training ofpersonnel to protect againstdiscrimination, as well as protocolsand policies that ensure privacyand confidentiality. Additionally,LGBT older people should be madeaware of their legal rights andrecourses should incidents ofdiscrimination occur in ahealthcare setting.

FINANCE AND RETIREMENT

A quality of life in retirementrequires financial resources, yetmany LGBT older people in thisstudy are concerned they lack thefunds to enjoy these years. Manyalso say that they will need towork beyond retirement age(especially single LGBT people)and fear that the governmentprograms meant to support olderpeople as they age, such as SocialSecurity, could suffer from fundingcuts that would weaken theireconomic safety net. LGBT agingadvocates posit that a lifetime ofdiscrimination in the workplacehas contributed to diminishedsavings and higher poverty ratesas one ages; this study supportsthe results of these trends.

Retirement years are also popularlyunderstood as a period of traveland leisure, a time to enjoy a lifethat has been fully actualized andexplore new opportunities—yet

this idyllic portrait does not extendacross all people, including LGBTpeople with smaller incomes.Nevertheless, LGBT older people in this study express many of the same aspirations as non-LGBTolder people: traveling, volunteeringtheir time for important causes,starting hobbies or working part-time, and enjoying the benefits ofconnecting to social groups. Yetconcerns about discrimination andpotential barriers in volunteeringand part-time employment surfacefor many LGBT older people.Further, this study shows that LGBT older people are more likelyto be mentors in later life—alearning with profound implicationsfor civic organizations andbusinesses seeking to bolster their engagement, volunteerismand activism.

The concerns that LGBT olderpeople express regarding theirabilities to retire offer opportunitiesfor financial professionals,nonprofit organizations andgovernment agencies to betterinvest in financial planning servicesthat target LGBT people age 45 andolder, especially in ways that speakto their unique lives and legalrealities. The travel and retirementindustries are well positioned totarget LGBT people, while ensuringthat all of their offerings impartLGBT-affirming messages. Living in“the closet” at a time when mostpeople should be celebrating thefruits of their long lives is at oddswith the goals of the retirementindustry, broadly defined.

CONCLUSION

24 OUT AND VISIBLE

This study also speaks to theimportance of defining andpreserving critical programs thatsupport low-income older people,while ensuring that these programsremain accessible to LGBT olderpeople and same-sex couples.Additionally, federal, state andlocal governments should widelyprotect against employmentdiscrimination on the basis ofsexual orientation and genderidentity. LGBT people who live incities and states with theseprotections should be made aware of their rights to ensureenforcement. And because age-related discrimination againstolder people can begin as early as age 40, and age bias can couple with sexual and genderdiscrimination, LGBT older peopleneed programs that support theiremployment prospects as they age.The public and private sectorsshould support “mature worker”programs that work specificallywith LGBT older people and theirunique circumstances.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

This study also confirms researchshowing that many LGBT olderpeople are single and live alone.LGBT people in this study alsoreport that their support networkshave condensed over time, a trend that can intensify the socialisolation that affects many olderpeople in later life, diminishingtheir general wellness. If livingalone can couple with smallersupport systems to spur isolation,and this phenomenon is

heightened among LGBT olderpeople, then LGBT older peoplemerit well-funded supports tospark engagement and reduceisolation.

Around the country, programs havesprouted to engage LGBT olderpeople in creating communities,promoting fitness and education,and building spaces where LGBTpeople stay physically and mentallyactive. Yet these types of servicesare sparse and should be betterfunded and replicated to reach allparts of the country. Additionally,mainstream aging settings aregradually recognizing the existenceof LGBT people and the need tocreate welcoming environments; inturn, many are turning to trainingprofessionals to educate them onthe lives of LGBT people. The publicand private sectors should invest inLGBT cultural competence trainingthat creates a more responsive,modern workforce astute in thelives of LGBT people.

At the federal level, the OlderAmericans Act serves as the largestvehicle for funding and deliveringservices to older peoplenationwide; this legislation shouldbe amended and reauthorized toaccount for LGBT older people and to better support programs,training and research related toLGBT older people. Oftentimes,policies and programs meant tosupport older people, especially inregards to caregiving and supportsystems, are based primarily onspouses and biological families;

CONCLUSION


THE PUBLIC ANDPRIVATE SECTORSSHOULD INVEST IN LGBT CULTURALCOMPETENCE TRAININGTHAT CREATES A MORE RESPONSIVE,MODERN WORKFORCEASTUTE IN THE LIVES OF LGBT PEOPLE.

these supports should expandtheir definitions of “families” and“next of kin” to include friends,caregivers and alternative kinshipstructures. Finally, since certainsegments of the LGBT older adultpopulation rely more on churchesfor support, such as AfricanAmerican LGBT older people andtransgender older people, faith-based models should be expandedand supported to ensure that LGBTolder people encounter morewelcoming places of worship.

HOUSING

This study documents many LGBT older people expressingconcerns about discriminationwhen seeking housing, as well asfearing mistreatment in aging and long-term care settings. It’s also possible that a lifetime ofdiscrimination creates a sense of distrust about institutions meantto serve and protect LGBT people.In later life, especially if socialnetworks deplete and LGBT olderpeople become increasinglydependent on professionals, these fears can become morevisceral and commonplace. It’s notsurprising, then, that many LGBTolder people in this study expressan interest in living in LGBT-friendlysenior housing at some point intheir lives.

The solutions for creating LGBT-friendly housing and homes arevaried and expansive. This studyshould compel housing providers,government officials, communityadvocates and developers to

imagine a robust system ofsupports that ensures LGBT olderpeople can navigate the housingprocess equitably—from buyingand maintaining a home orapartment, to adjusting to life in a nursing home, assisted living orindependent living facility, oranother housing arrangement (as new housing lifestyles areinnovated). Governments andcommunity organizations shouldpromote best practices for housingproviders when serving LGBT olderadults; support LGBT senioraffordable housing projects,including increasing funding andremoving policy barriers that stiflethe development of such projects;and encourage public-privatepartnerships that train housingproviders on LGBT culturalcompetence and create “wrap-around” housing-related servicesfor LGBT people as they age.

Housing and lendingdiscrimination based on sexualorientation and gender identityshould be prohibited at federal,state and local levels. LGBT olderpeople should be made aware oftheir legal rights in states and citiesthat have fair housing laws andordinances, as well as possibleprotections under the Fair HousingAct and the Federal Nursing HomeReform Act.

CONCLUSION

26 OUT AND VISIBLE

THIS STUDY DOCUMENTSMANY LGBT OLDERPEOPLE EXPRESSING CONCERNS ABOUTDISCRIMINATION WHENSEEKING HOUSING, AS WELL AS FEARINGMISTREATMENT IN AGING AND LONG-TERMCARE SETTINGS.

CONCLUSION

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Ultimately, how do we best reachLGBT older people with the rightinformation? This study indicatesthat most people still rely on theinternet, as well as on family andfriends for resources related toaging. It might be that the internetis the most widespread andavailable resource, and familymembers and friends are the mosttrusted messengers. This studyshows that among LGBT olderpeople, men are more likely to relyon social media and women aremore likely to rely on governmentsources. Also, “older people” ages60-76 generally rely on nonprofitorganizations and professionals for this information.

Since many LGBT people rely on their friends and family forinformation, and on the internet,additional efforts should beundertaken to ensure that thisinformation is accurate, LGBT-inclusive and available to thebroad demographic of LGBT olderpeople, including people who have smaller support systems and might rely less on technology and the internet for regularinformation. Here, special effortsshould be placed on preventingfraud and online scams amongolder people. Equipped withaccurate information, LGBT olderpeople can make informed choicesabout their futures.

For the public and private sectors,these findings might compeltargeted resources that reachdifferent segments of the LGBTpopulation, age 45 and older. Itmight also encourage nonprofitorganizations to improve theiroutreach, messages, vehicles andoverall information related to agingand retirement in ways that speakto the realities of LGBT people and do not presume a monolithic,heterosexual audience that islargely married with children.Information is power, whether it’sthe information we provide to LGBTpeople to make better choicesabout their futures, or the type oflarge-scale research that deepensour knowledge about the diversityof the American population andmarket. When we make thatinformation visible, we ultimatelyhelp all older people pursue thelives they have always imagined.


EQUIPPED WITH ACCURATEINFORMATION,LGBT OLDER PEOPLE CAN MAKEINFORMED CHOICES ABOUT THEIR FUTURES.

This report significantly broadensthe understanding on the values,needs, wants and lifestylepreferences of LGBT older people,ages 45-75. It provides insights into their concerns related to agingin areas such as healthcare,retirement and a financially securefuture. And it describes apopulation struggling to stayconnected to their social networksover time—many of whom areliving single and alone—yet withdreams of living an activeretirement where they canvolunteer, serve as mentors andtravel. Additionally, it describes apopulation that’s very distinctacross age brackets, income levels,gender/gender identity, and raceand ethnicity. LGBT older peopleare not a monolith, nor are theirexperiences comprised entirely ofhardship. This report provides anessential early lens onto their livesand their minds.

A major obstacle to studying therealities of LGBT older people isthat few national federal surveyscollect data on sexual orientationor gender identity, especially insurveys related to retirement, long-term care and health. Wheresurveys collect this data, thesample sizes of people age 50 and older are too small to formrepresentative findings, and many

of these older samples tend toskew towards higher incomes andthe more educated. Worse, LGBTelder subgroups such as olderpeople of color and transgenderolder people, as two examples,remain notably understudied.Moreover, survey questions relatedto sexual orientation and genderidentity are rarely validated amongolder people, which means that welack both the data and bestpractices on data collection amongolder LGBT people. These structuralbarriers to robust data on LGBTolder people should be removed.

Further research could expand onfindings from many areas of thisreport—especially as they relate tomore underserved populationssuch as transgender people,people of color, women and low-income people. Other topicsshould also be deepened. Forexample, for LGBT older peoplewho are concerned aboutremaining independent in later lifeor who fear physical decline, futureresearch could explore what drivesthese concerns and how providers,nonprofits and businesses can best create resources, programsand products that promoteindependence as long as possible.In regards to healthcare, furtherresearch could examine the extentto which LGBT older people

experience judgment anddiscrimination treatment fromproviders once their sexualitiesand gender identities aredisclosed. Conversely, researchcould examine the questions thatproviders should use to best elicitthis information in ways that fittheir treatment approaches,resources and facilities. Finally,research could examine whetherthere are unanticipated benefitsand consequences associated with disclosing one’s sexualorientation and gender identity to a healthcare provider.

Further research could understandthe quality of financial planningamong LGBT older people,especially across income brackets.If many LGBT older people rely on their own knowledge and theinternet, their financial plans mightbe lacking the precise expertiseneeded to determine how best tosave for retirement, as well as the full spectrum of options thatdepend on income levels, assets,legal barriers and aspirations.Further research could understandwhat spurs LGBT older people to begin planning for retirement,which could compel moreinvestment in the types ofmessages, resources and servicesthat nonprofits, financialprofessionals and government

CONCLUSION

28 OUT AND VISIBLE

Future Directions for Research

providers can offer to secure thefinancial lives of LGBT older people.

LGBT older people are more likelyto be mentors than non-LGBT olderpeople; further research couldexplore the types of mentoring and experiences they offer, whatmentoring means for LGBT older people, and the types ofmentorship opportunities that exist in various communities or virtually through technology.Given LGBT older people’s interestin traveling, developing hobbiesand volunteering in retirement,future research could study thevarious options, interests andconcerns for each of these areasthat could incentivize industriesinvested in retirement lifestyles.

Future research could examinemore closely the social networks of LGBT older people and theimpact of seeing one’s networkshrink over time. Here, furtherresearch could assess what itmeans to live alone successfully,especially in later life. What typesof supports, resources, productsand technology can aide a personwho chooses to live alone or endsup alone through circumstance?

And as LGBT older people deal with discrimination in housing andlong-term care settings, furtherresearch could examine how LGBTolder people should navigate thissystem and exercise their legalrights (where applicable), as wellas where housing providers canimprove their systems to ensureLGBT older people can accessaffordable housing on fair terms.

Finally, further research is neededto understand where and howLGBT older people consumeinformation. What media outletsare different segments of thispopulation accessing? Who are thecredible messengers on differentareas of interest? What is therelationship between LGBT olderpeople, aging and the internet,including new media andtechnologies? Finally, given thevolume of rapid-fire data thatconfronts people daily, what’s the best ways for information tostand out and directly reachdifferent segments of LGBT olderpeople? The more we know aboutconnecting to this growing LGBTolder adult population, the morethey will know about makinginformed choices that will improvetheir lives—along the entirespectrum—as they grow older.


CONCLUSION

Visit sageusa.org for more policy and practicerecommendations related toLGBT older people, includingreports and analysis ontransgender aging, healthequity and LGBT older people of color, HIV and aging,inclusive services for LGBT older people, properlycollecting data on LGBT olderpeople in clinical settings, and much more.

WANT TOKNOW MORE?

30 OUT AND VISIBLE

REFERENCES

1 AARP. (2013). Attitudes of Aging.Washington, DC: AARP.

2 Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Kim, H.-J., Emlet, C. A., Muraco, A.,Erosheva, E. A., Hoy-Ellis, C. P.,Goldsen, J., Petry, H. (2011). The Aging and Health Report:Disparities and Resilience among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults.Seattle, WA: Institute forMultigenerational Health.


4 The Fenway Institute & the Centerfor American Progress. (2013).Asking Patients Questions aboutSexual Orientation and GenderIdentity in Clinical Settings: A Studyin Four Health Centers. Boston, MA:The Fenway Institute.

5 Employee Benefit ResearchInstitute. (2012). The 2012Retirement Confidence Survey: Job Insecurity, Debt Weigh onRetirement Confidence, Savings.Washington, DC: EBRI.

6 AARP. (2012, June). 10 Steps to Get You Ready for Retirement: Start planning now for your idealretirement. Retrieved fromhttp://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-05-2011/10-steps-to-retire-every-day.html

7 Movement Advancement Project& SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). (2010). Improvingthe Lives of LGBT Older Adults.Denver, CO: MAP.


9 Equal Rights Center. (2014).Opening Doors: An Investigation of Barriers to Senior Housing forSame-Sex Couples. Washington,DC: ERC; and National SeniorCitizens Law Center. (2011). Stories from the Field: LGBT OlderAdults in Long-Term Care Facilities.Washington, DC: NSCLC.

10 AARP. (2012, November). Paper by Choice: People of all agesprefer to receive retirement planinformation on paper. Retrieved at http://www.aarp.org/work/retirement-planning/info-11-2012/retirement-plan-information.html.

11 Pew Research Internet Project.(2014). Older Adults andTechnology Use. Retrieved athttp://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use/.

REFERENCES

ABOUT SAGE

SAGE (Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders) is thecountry’s largest and oldest organization dedicatedto improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgender (LGBT) older adults. Founded in 1978and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is anational organization that offers supportive servicesand consumer resources to LGBT older adults andtheir caregivers, advocates for public policy changesthat address the needs of LGBT older people, andprovides training for aging providers and LGBTorganizations through its National Resource Centeron LGBT Aging. With offices in New York City,Washington, DC and Chicago, SAGE coordinates a growing network of 27 local SAGE affiliates in 20states and the District of Columbia. For moreinformation, visit sageusa.org.

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LBGT OAMarketResearch Rpt - SAGE...Research Center for their indispensable advice throughout the life of this project. ABOUT NIELSEN AND THE HARRIS POLL On February 3, 2014, Nielsen