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LGBTQIA2S+ Initiatives for Older Adults

Learn about our work and share your ideas

The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) is committed to supporting the needs and strengths of LGBTQIA2S+ older adults. Learn about our current initiatives and find opportunities for collaboration, advocacy and support.

Survey and action planAbuse reportingReducing isolationSenate Bill 99Resources

Survey and action plan

The Oregon LGBTQ+ Older Adult Survey (2021) was the first statewide community needs assessment of LGBTQ+ older adults in Oregon. Results are being used to develop an action plan to transform public policies, services, education and research and to promote partnerships to address the needs of this growing population.

Adults age 55 and older who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two Spirit and non-binary as well as sexually or gender diverse were invited to provide detailed feedback on gaps, needs and barriers to accessing supports. Participants were also asked to highlight strengths within the state's various LGBTQ+ communities.

Oregon LGBTQ+ Older Adult Survey Report (2021)Executive SummaryFact Sheet ​

An internal APD workgroup met to identify and implement strategies to support the top 10 priorities identified through the survey and community meetings.

  1. Health and mental health care
  2. Housing
  3. Elder abuse, including self-neglect
  4. Educate, communicate and support
  5. Community engagement and social support
  6. Economic security and poverty
  7. Discrimination
  8. Food assistance
  9. Unmet service needs and access
  10. Training, trained facility staff and homecare workers

The Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are working with partners and the community to address the priorities listed above.

Health and mental health care

  • Developing a plan with Oregon Health Authority's Suicide Intervention and Prevention Plan staff to specifically address the needs of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals

Educate, communicate and support

  • Supporting community caregiver resource sharing
  • Developing social media content inclusive of the LGBTQIA2S+ community to highlight ODHS activities and events

Community engagement and social support

  • Convening an LGBTQIA2S+ Older Adult Action Plan community meeting (held November 16, 2023)
  • Partnering with OHA to ensure contractors that oversee the Senior Loneliness and Warm Line train their staff to address LGBTQIA2S+ issues
  • Coordinating with the Governor's Office to develop an LGBTQIA2S+ subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Senior Services​
  • Creating a plan and timeline for community listening sessions

Economic security and poverty

  • Collaborating with Older Americans Act (OAA) Senior Community Service Employment Program to offer employer training to reduce biases and barriers in hiring LGBTQIA2S+ older adults
  • Initiating an outreach plan for inclusion of LGBTQIA2S+ older adults and chosen families with implementation of Oregon Project Independence - Medicaid (OPI-M)

Abuse reporting campaign

Every older adult deserves respect and to be safe. Many older people in Oregon experience some form of abuse, yet many don't report it. A 2021 study shows that this is especially true for older adults who are LGBTQIA2S+. Visit the Respect Campaign webpage to learn more about how to recognize and report abuse.

Respect Campaign

Reducing social isolation

Help to Connect program

In July 2024, in partnership with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) and Access Technologies, Inc., the Help to Connect program was launched to provide free computers, tablets or robotic pets to eligible people in Oregon. The goal of the program is to increase social connection, provide companionship, and improve individual health and wellness outcomes. One participant stated:

This wonderful, life-changing gift has jump-started my life and has come to mean everything to me because it makes a positive difference in so many positive ways every single day!



Senate Bill 99

Senate Bill 99 (2023) seeks to improve services for LGBTQIA2S+ older adults. It requires a Bill of Rights for LGBTQIA2S+ residents in care facilities and creates a new LGBTQIA2S+ subcommittee in the Governor's Commission on Senior Services. SB 99 is now part of Oregon state law (ORS 441.111-441.122).

SB 99ORS 441

Senate Bill 99 requires adult foster homes, residential care facilities, assisted living facilities and nursing facilities to take actions that protect the rights of LGBTQIA2S+ residents, including:

  • Adopt a Bill of Rights protecting LGBTQIA2S+ residents
  • Provide staff training about caring for LGBTQIA2S+ residents on topics including:
    • Preventing gender-based discrimination
    • Understanding of the health and social challenges historically experienced by LGBTQIA2S+ residents
  • Create procedures to assure resident records accurately reflect the resident's gender identity, chosen name and pronouns - as indicated by the resident

Senate Bill 99 requires the Oregon Department of Human Services to create a subcommittee of the Governor's Commission on Senior Services​ to focus on improving state agency interactions and communication with the LGBTQIA2S+ community and creating advocacy opportunities for this population throughout state government. Learn about the LGBTQIA2S+ Subcommittee​.

Resources

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