Finding LGBT-Friendly Senior Living Communities For Your Senior Loved Ones

Every year, countless families find themselves searching for senior living communities for their elderly loved ones. The right community is paramount for any senior looking to enjoy this new chapter in their life and for many LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered) seniors, finding the right fit can seem like a challenge.

There is generally less acceptance of the LGBT community among older generations, which can make it very difficult to find supportive resources within the senior demographic. It is estimated that “48 percent of LGBT older couples face discrimination” according to a 2014 investigation by the nonprofit Equal Rights Center.** The good news is, now more than ever, there are countless senior housing communities welcoming older LGBT seniors into their facilities, and many communities that are designed specifically for LGBT adults.

These communities are becoming increasingly more important as the number of openly gay, bisexual and transgendered seniors continues to grow. According to the American Psychological Association, of the more than 39 million people in the U.S. that are 65 years or older, there are around 2.4 million who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, and it’s estimated that this population will continue to increase rapidly. Since there is a growing demand for LGBT-friendly senior housing, more and more new facilities are opening all over the country.

In order to facilitate the search for LGBT-friendly senior housing, SeniorAdvice.com, one of the nation’s top senior housing referral services, released an article on the best fifteen thriving senior living communities for LGBT seniors.
To compile the list, SeniorAdvice.com interviewed community representatives and also considered online consumer reviews. The facilities were also chosen by using the SeniorAdvice.com SeniorScore tool, which examines over 100 different variables to evaluate locales for factors such as access to health care and social and recreational opportunities.

The locations of the highlighted senior communities range from coast to coast and vary in offered amenities. Three of the most luxurious communities are located in beautiful California. One of these facilities is Stonewall Gardens, which is located in Palm Springs. It offers full-time personal care as needed, along with daily activities, wellness and gourmet meals.

Not surprisingly, Florida is another state where several of the listed communities reside. The Palms of Manasota in Palmetto, Florida, is one of the most popular and well-known communities of its kind in the country, partly because they were the first retirement community in America to openly welcome LGBT seniors.

The list also includes Carefree Cove in Boone, North Carolina, where gay and lesbian residents enjoy a community in a mountain setting, outdoor activities and scenic beauty all year round. As well as LGBT-friendly affordable housing developments such as the John C. Anderson Apartments in Philadelphia.

There is truly a senior living community for everyone, and these friendly, welcoming destinations can be found all over the country, no matter where seniors want to start their next chapter. To view the full list in detail, see The Top LGBT-Friendly Senior Communities in the US.

Sources – https://sageusa.org/files/lgbtSeniorHousingreportFINAL.pdf

LGBT-Friendly Senior Living Communities

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