ST. LOUIS, MO., JUNE 29, 2009 . . . Nationwide, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults over the age of 65 account for three to eight percent of the population, with nearly 26,000 LGBT older adults residing in the St. Louis area alone. Yet, countless LGBT seniors are not receiving the critical services they need as they age due to continued fears of discrimination within the senior care system. To help address the needs of LGBT seniors in the St. Louis community, St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions is partnering with SAGE Metro St. Louis for a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures to ensure that it is providing services in an environment that is inclusive, welcoming and respectful of the rights and dignity of older adults of all sexual preferences.

SAGE Metro St. Louis is an advocacy group which strives to enhance the quality of life of LGBT older adults though service, advocacy and community awareness. The organization, which recently celebrated its first anniversary in St. Louis, works to create partnerships with community organizations, social service providers and concerned citizens to end the discrimination against LGBT seniors, which often keeps them hidden and vulnerable as they age. Through its efforts, SAGE sponsors an online referral network of senior service agencies that are open and committed to providing services to the LGBT community in healthy, safe and welcoming environments.

St. Andrew’s, which has been a part of SAGE’s referral network for several months, recently furthered its commitment by partnering with the organization for a voluntary review of its policies and procedures to ensure they are LGBT inclusive and non-discriminatory. The review requires the evaluation of all employee, volunteer, marketing and services policies and procedures.

“Unfortunately, there continues to be an overall lack of recognition of the LGBT community among social and senior service agencies,” said Sherrill Wayland, Executive Director, SAGE Metro St. Louis. “As a result, LGBT seniors who need care as they age often stay in or return to the ‘closet’ to avoid discrimination, while others who may choose to disclose their sexual orientations and gender identities risk being denied care. By choosing to implement policies and procedures that embrace the LGBT senior community, St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions is demonstrating its commitment to meeting the needs of this segment of the area’s population, and we applaud them for being the first senior care organization in the St. Louis area to step forward in this way.”

Because discrimination fears cause so many LGBT seniors to choose not to disclose their sexual orientations, Wayland notes that this segment of the population becomes invisible, as do their needs.

“LGBT seniors use invisibility as a defense mechanism to combat discrimination,” said Wayland. “Therefore, we see a segment of the population that is marginalized and underserved, which can lead to increased risk of chronic illness and disability among LGBT older adults.”

In terms of quality of life, LGBT seniors also struggle because of the social isolation they may feel as they go back into the “closet” to avoid discrimination. With statistics indicating that LGBT seniors are twice as likely to live alone than heterosexual seniors, and more than four times as likely to have no children, many rely on the care and support of their same-sex partners and friends. When their partners and friends aren’t accepted by senior care providers, there can be a significant impact on the health and well-being of an LGBT senior.

“Access to care for our seniors is our number one priority, and we strive to provide our services in an environment where seniors don’t have to feel invisible or fear discrimination,” said Ann Bannes, vice president of St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions. “By partnering with SAGE Metro St. Louis for a review of our policies and procedures, we are furthering our commitment to meeting the needs of the LGBT senior community and striving to break down the barriers to quality care that exist in the St. Louis area for this segment of the population.”

To learn more about St Andrew’s partnership with SAGE Metro St. Louis, contact St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions at (314) 726-5766, or visit www.standrewseniorsolutions.com. For more information on SAGE Metro St. Louis call 314-821-4845 or visit www.sagemetrostl.org.

St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions is a private, non-profit organization that is an affiliate of the St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System. Founded in 1961, the St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System is not-for-profit and provides housing, health, in-home care and supportive services, as well as services and assistance to the family caregivers of seniors. To learn more about St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions, call (314) 726-5766 or visit www.standrewsseniorsolutions.com.