Questions to Ask When Looking for LGBTQ+ Senior Living
Looking for the Right LGBTQ-Friendly Senior Living Community for Your Retirement? Ask These 6 Questions
It’s an arduous task to find an incredible LGBTQ+ senior living community. Of course, amenities, healthcare and delectable dining options are very important. However, the most essential part of your journey is joining a community that makes you feel welcomed and valued.
So if you’re looking for the right LGBTQ+ community that suits your individual needs, ask these 6 questions, and get ready to take retirement to the next level.
1. Do you have an anti-discrimination policy?
The best LGBTQ+ senior living communities have anti-discrimination policies that specifically state every resident will be treated with the highest standard of respect and dignity, regardless of their age, race, religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
Make sure the community you’re considering conspicuously displays their anti-discrimination policy for all residents, staff and visitors to see.
2. Are there any clubs or community organizations for LGBTQ+ residents?
If a senior independent living community is truly committed to enriching the lives of older LGBTQ+ adults, they have clubs and activities that cater to their interests and make them feel like they can be themselves.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s OK to be excluded from clubs that aren’t specifically geared toward LGBTQ+ seniors. Activities, events, and clubs at a senior living community should offer an enjoyable environment for all residents.
3. How do you cultivate inclusiveness in your community?
Diversity in all forms should be celebrated. Ask the senior living community you’re interested in about the treatment of different races and religions.
There should be a focus on inclusivity, celebrations of various cultural holidays and events, and the opportunity for you to begin new traditions that cultivate a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community.
4. Does your staff have experience caring for LGBTQ+ seniors?
Formal anti-discrimination policies don’t necessarily mean that staff members know how to accept and treat people who differ from them. Formal training on inclusive vocabulary and eliminating unconscious biases in caregivers and other community employees is essential to a high quality of life for LGBTQ+ seniors.
SAGECare LGBT training courses are designed to be suitable for all levels of employees. This specialized training is part of SAGE, the nation’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults.
5. What are your cohabitation policies?
There are some senior living communities that only allow married couples to cohabitate, while also defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
In order to lead a fulfilling life, you need to cohabitate with your partner. If there is a policy against same sex cohabitation, it’s a powerful sign a particular senior living community isn’t an appropriate fit for LGBTQ+ people.
6. How do you assist LGBTQ+ seniors in your memory care community?
LGBTQ+ seniors with age-related dementia can experience a unique and challenging set of circumstances. For instance, as dementia progresses, LGBTQ+ seniors may regress to feel uncomfortable with their identity or relive painful memories.
Be sure to ask the LGBTQ+ senior living community you’re interested in how they offer memory care, and what kind of specific training staff members have to ensure you receive the best care during every stage of retirement.
Laurel Circle Invites You to Be Part of Our LGBTQ+ Friendly Senior Living Community
Love wins and seniors thrive every day at Laurel Circle. To learn more about our inclusive community or schedule a tour of our beautiful campus in Bridgwater, NJ, send us a request online, and a residency counselor will be with you shortly.
Did you know we’re also a pet-friendly senior living community? Be sure to ask us how your four-legged family member can join you on your journey into retirement at Laurel Circle.
