LGBTQ Seniors Endure Unique Challenges in Coronavirus Crisis

The COVID-19 crisis presents unique challenges for LGBTQ seniors, reports QNS . "Food insecurity was a problem for a lot of LGBTQ elders prior to this and then this just exacerbated it," noted Steven Wilkinson at Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders (SAGE). A significant number of LGBTQ seniors also are HIV-positive and immune-compromised, while the isolation of SAGE clients who are especially vulnerable to avoid infection means that those used to eating meals at senior centers can no longer do so. Meanwhile, New York City started a program to directly deliver five meals weekly to senior center patrons 60 or older, but some have had difficulty accessing that option. "We're also dealing with people who are feeling socially isolated," Wilkinson said. "The calls that were five minutes now can run 30 or 45 minutes because they're missing their friends at centers and they're missing just being social." Many current SAGE programs are continuing on a remote-only basis, including exercise classes, writing courses, Spanish and English as a second language, and support groups.