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Breakthrough Survey to Focus on Needs of LGBT Seniors

DETROIT — A new survey was launched Friday to assess the needs and concerns of Michigan's older adults who identify as LGBT. The survey was created through a partnership between the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, Gay Elders of Southeast Michigan and the LGBT Older Adult Coalition of Michigan; its genesis makes Michigan the first state in the nation to collect statewide information about LGBT older adults.
The survey addresses questions of relationships, employment, financial planning and retirement, housing, transportation, and health care.
"We already know from smaller studies that LGBT older adults are significantly more likely to be poor and living alone," explains Kathleen LaTosch, co-chair of the LGBT Older Adults Coalition of Michigan. "Only 1 in 9 has children to help care for them and few have partners or family members to assist with day-to-day needs. They may avoid healthcare altogether out of fear of mistreatment by care workers, putting them at greater risk for health complications, and even premature death, as they age."
LaTosch emphasized the need to reach those who may not know this survey exists, including the very elderly or those not connected to standard information streams.
The Older Americans Act (OAA) – the federal law that supports most aging and disability services in the states – acknowledges LGBT older adults as a group for whom special efforts should be made in light of the challenges they face. "This survey is an exciting response to the OAA", says Laura Champagne, Board Chair of the Gay Elders of Southeast Michigan, a group that is seeking affiliation with the nationwide SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay Elders) organization. "More importantly, the effort evidences a strong partnership between the Office of Services to the Aging and the LGBT community."
"The survey gives older LGBT adults and those with disabilities an unprecedented voice in identifying their concerns and needs to public officials in charge of meeting those needs," added Jay Kaplan. Jay is a co-chair of the LGBT Older Adult Coalition and head of the ACLU's LGBT Project. "We are asking that all eligible people to help by answering this Michigan LGBT Aging and Disability Needs Assessment." The survey targets both those over the age of 50 and those living with a disability.
The survey takes 15-20 minutes and participants can access it online at www.LGBTneedsMichigan.com, by scheduling a phone interview at 517-348-5972 or by emailing [email protected] to schedule an interview.

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