You can help make a difference for LGBT Older Adults. Vote for the LGBTEI in the Voices of Health competition!
Voice of Health
The LGBT Elder Initiative is a finalist in the Voices of Health competition sponsored by Aetna. The purpose of the competition is to highlight local nonprofits that make a positive change in the community while addressing social determinants of health. The LGBTEI was selected by Aetna as one of 10 local nonprofits that live up to this mission by working to eliminate health disparities. Community members are able to vote online for a respective nonprofit and at the end of the contest, the agency with the most votes will win a $20,000 grant.
How You Can Vote for Us
You can help us win the $20,000 grant by voting HERE. You are able to vote up to 4 times a day through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Email. You can vote EVERYDAY! The contest runs through November 9, 2018.
Why Vote for Us?
This grant would help us to expand our community educational programming to better address the unique needs and concerns facing older adults in our communities.
Our health-focused programming includes the “Doctor Is In” monthly series, cosponsored by Jefferson Health. These community forums are free discussions and lectures led by geriatricians providing information, resources, and potentially life-saving advice on a specific topic. Past topics have included advance care planning, nutrition and exercise, dementia, and falls prevention.
Beyond the “Doctor Is In” the LGBTEI also hosts events specific to the needs of elders living with HIV/AIDS, including issues related to physical and emotional health and well-being.
Additionally, all programs are filmed for the Sykes Video Library which allows elders and caregivers who are unable to attend events in person to view the program and gain important resources and information.
Why our work is important
There are over 40 million older adults in the United States today, including 2.4 million who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) elders. LGBT older adults encounter above-average rates of physical health complications, stress, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
One of the greatest indicator of poor mental and physical health outcomes is social and community isolation. Social isolation increases risk of death by approximately 30% and can lead to negative health conditions such as high blood pressure, infection, and heart disease. LGBT older adults are susceptible to numerous risk factors for social isolation, oftentimes at higher rates than non-LGBT elders. For example, LGBT older adults are less likely to be married or partnered than their peers, and roughly 60% live alone. This can result in less socialization and interpersonal connectedness.
Another risk factor facing LGBT elders includes poor overall health due to lacking competent healthcare. This population is less likely to access necessary medical services, oftentimes due to previous discrimination within healthcare settings.
The LGBT Elder Initiative is committed to continuing to work to reduce and eliminate these health disparities. Please take a moment to help us secure this important grant funding. VOTE HERE