“We have a responsibility to each other to understand that not everyone has family around them.” — Sandra Abramson (left) whose wife, Terry, died two years ago

Growing old alone is a daunting prospect for anyone. For older adults like Sandra, 69, in the LGBTQ community, it’s more likely to be a reality.

According to Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders (SAGE), LGBTQ older adults are twice as likely to live alone, twice as likely to be single, and three to four times less likely to have children.

To address these concerns and other issues facing older LGBTQ adults, UJA-Federation of New York’s Roundtable on Aging in the Jewish Community held a communal conversation, “The LGBTQ Aging Experience,” on January 11th at our conference center in Manhattan.

“I don’t want to die alone,” says Sandra, who is retired from the affordable housing field where she served many roles, including asset and property manager. “For many of us who are in the older lesbian and gay population, we don’t have children, it wasn’t what we did.”

“I want to feel and be part of a community, be included. Programs in organizations and synagogues help provide community where it may not be otherwise,” she adds. “But they need to be welcoming.”

To help ensure welcoming care for LGBTQ older adults, The Roundtable discussion proposed four key steps:

• Cultural competency training for aides and professional staff working with LGBTQ elders
• Credentials certifying that a service provider has received cultural competency training
• Programs that are specific to LGBTQ needs
• Advocacy for changes that integrate LGBTQ elder needs into broader aging policy goals

By taking these steps, our diverse community will find comfort and support for the universal experience of aging.