Ready to Serve? The Aging Network and LGB and T Older Adults

This study provides the first snapshot of the Aging Network's experience with and readiness to serve lesbian, gay and bisexual older adults and transgender older adults (LGB and T) across all regions of the United States. The directors of every Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and directors of State Units on Aging (SUAs) in single planning and service area states (where the state, in essence, serves as the AAA) were invited to participate in an online survey in May 2010. Fifty percent (320) of eligible agencies completed the study. Participants represented 45 states and all regions of the country. More than half of the participants served an area that was primarily rural and nearly all participants (87%) provided some direct aging services

Assets and Unmet Needs of Diverse Older Adults: Perspectives of community-based service providers in Minnesota

This paper examines assets and unmet needs of diverse older adults and highlights the need for programs and policies that address the social determinants of health. The United States is undergoing an unprecedented demographic shift, becoming increasingly diverse and aging rapidly. Given these changing demographics, it is important to understand the strengths and needs of our diverse population of older adults. This study captures perspectives of diverse service providers who work with older adults in communities, to identify existing assets as well as unmet needs and challenges facing diverse older adults in Minnesota. Qualitative data were collected using key informant interviews with community-based service providers (N=15) as part of a year-long engagement project. Participants were purposively selected to represent African American, East African, American Indian, Southeast Asian, Latino, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis. Results indicate a number of assets supporting Minnesota’s diverse older adults. Assets of cultural communities include culturally specific services, faith communities, and close-knit families. Assets of older adults include their cultural and historical knowledge, wisdom, experience, and resilience. Despite the many assets supporting diverse older adults, results indicate seven primary categories of unmet needs: (1) health (2) healthcare, (3) transportation, (4) housing, (5) education, (6) social support, and (7) financial security. All unmet needs sub-themes address health or social determinants of health, indicating the need for a broad range of policies and programs. As the U.S. population grows increasingly older and more diverse, it is critical that these unmet needs are addressed to ensure equity for aging well