The aging process looks different for everyone, and for queer people, getting older can present specific challenges. Aging LGBTQ+ people need access to housing and healthcare that is both affordable and affirming, but discrimination and high prices make it difficult to achieve these basic needs. For the LGBTQ+ community, planning for our futures is key.
“Especially prior to marriage equality, we really stressed planning because without proper legal documents in place, our wishes may not be followed,” Sherrill Wayland, the Senior Director of Special Initiatives and Partnerships at SAGE, the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to advocacy for LGBTQ+ older adults, said. “However, we know that many LGBTQ+ folks have decided not to marry for one reason or another, and so that planning is still critical to make sure that our wishes are known and done in a legally binding document. So, it’s important that people think about who they want to be there to help make decisions on their behalf should they not be able to interact with a medical facility or financial institutions.”
When planning for aging, here are some ways queer Georgians can tackle discrimination and overpricing in retirement, housing, and healthcare. […]
Click here to read the full piece. This story was originally published by Georgia Voice on October 26, 2023.
