Aging & LGBT+: Housing Fears & Considerations 

ICCER is pleased to offer a webinar, Aging & LGBT+: Housing fears and considerations, on February 13. Amanda Weightman and Rocky Wallbaum will review the key findings of a peer-led study, including lived experience examples, followed by questions and discussion. 

About the webinar: Recent research in Canada has found that LGBTQ+ seniors fear having to 'return to the closet' when entering supportive housing or a care facility and have serious concerns about privacy, stigma, and discrimination. Many individuals from the LGBTQ+ senior population lived during an era when non-mainstream sexual and gender expressions were stigmatized, condemned and criminalized. As a result, some may have limited social networks, unaddressed trauma, or refrain from disclosing their sexual gender identity to social workers, doctors, or other care providers. Despite significant investments in housing for seniors in Canada, very little data exists to inform effective housing models for LGBTQ+ seniors.

This peer-led study, which involved a survey of 117 LGBTQ+ seniors and interviews with 15 community stakeholders, demonstrated that LGBTQ+ seniors in Calgary and surrounding communities are concerned about facing discrimination and stigma from caregivers and other residents if required to move to seniors' housing facilities. Results also suggested that efforts to identify and include LGBTQ+ people must incorporate awareness to the intricacies of diversity, safety, and previous trauma. Stakeholder interviews revealed that community members and service providers were prepared to act on these issues with the ultimate goal of cultivating inclusive and diverse communities that provide support for people to age safely in place. Study results are being used by community members and service providers to inform social work practice locally as well as a catalyst for national research endeavours that further explore the needs of diverse communities. 

_____________________________

Amanda Weightman (MA, Lead Researcher) is a Principal Researcher at Habitus Consulting Collective and the Project Coordinator of Calgary LGBT+ Seniors Housing Needs Assessment (on behalf of The SHARP Foundation). Her work is focused on supporting community groups and non-profit agencies to use research to better understand community needs, find innovative solutions to complex social problems, and demonstrate impact. 

Rocky Wallbaum (Peer Research Team Member) retired after 20+ years as a college instructor and moved to Calgary to live with his younger partner. The two have been together for 10 years. Rocky got involved with the LGBT+ seniors when he worked with Elder Service Corps, and presented films and panels showing how LGBTQ seniors were being forced to go back into the closet when entering care facilities. Rocky volunteers with the Calgary Mens Chorus, AHS' provincial training program for facilities which employ AHS staff members, and helped found the Rainbow Elders Calgary (REC).

_____________________________________

  

Please note: This webinar is free for ICCER member organizations*, associate members, as well as individual members. The cost is $15/site for non-members to attend. See the list of members below!  

*ICCER member organizations: Bethany Care Society, Bow Valley College, CapitalCare, Carewest, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (staff only), Excel Society, Extendicare, Good Samaritan Society, Keyano College, Lifestyle Options, NorQuest College, Shepherd's Care Foundation, Sherwood Care, Silvera for Seniors, St. Michael's Health Group, University of Alberta, Wing Kei

**Associate ICCER members: BioAlberta, Berry Architecture, Rexall; Note: Associate members are entitled to a maximum of 5 free webinar registrations. Additional registrations require payment.