{"id":354806,"date":"2023-06-20T07:27:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T12:27:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/lgbtq-law\/lgbtq-older-adult\/laws-affecting-lgbtq-older-adults.html"},"modified":"2026-05-26T11:23:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T16:23:00","slug":"laws-affecting-lgbtq-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/lgbtq-law\/lgbtq-older-adult\/laws-affecting-lgbtq-older-adults.html","title":{"rendered":"Laws Affecting LGBTQ+ Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Laws Affecting LGBTQ+ Older Adults<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Isobel Healy, J.D., M.P.H.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Bridget Molitor, JD<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

LGBTQ<\/span>+ older adults<\/span> are protected by several federal laws that support dignified aging, access to affirming healthcare<\/span>, and protection from abuse. While these laws prohibit discrimination and require culturally competent<\/span> services, gaps in enforcement and provider<\/span> training mean many LGBTQ<\/span>+ older adults<\/span> still face mistreatment in long\u2011term care and healthcare<\/span> settings.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This article provides an overview of laws directly impacting LGBTQ<\/span>+ older adults<\/span> (OA) and their ability to age with dignity, access affirming healthcare<\/span> and culturally competent<\/span> senior services, and prevent elder abuse.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0National Resource Center<\/span> on LGBTQ<\/span>+ Aging<\/a>\u00a0estimates there will be 7 million LGBTQ<\/span>+ adults<\/span> 65 and older living in the United States by 2030. For some of these LGBTQ<\/span>+ older adults<\/span>, navigating healthcare<\/span> services and long\u2011term care can feel isolating and unsafe. If you or a loved one is facing discrimination, mistreatment, or barriers to services, contact a civil rights<\/span> attorney<\/a> near you for help and advocacy<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Older Americans Act<\/span><\/h2>\n

Congress originally passed the\u00a0Older Americans Act<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(OAA<\/span>) in 1965 to develop community and social services<\/span> for older adults, who, at that time, were more likely to live in poverty than any other age group.<\/p>\n

The OAA<\/span> authorizes a variety of\u00a0supportive and community service programs<\/a>\u00a0for adults aged 60 years or older in each state and the District of Columbia, as well as some federally recognized tribal organizations and U.S. territories.<\/p>\n

The OAA<\/span> established the federal\u00a0Administration on Aging<\/a>\u00a0(AoA). The Administration on Aging distributes funds to\u00a0State Units on Aging<\/a>\u00a0(SUA), which develop multi-year state plans carried out by\u00a0Area Agencies on Aging<\/span>\u00a0(AAA). These public and private non-profit organizations provide a variety of services to older adults either directly or via local service <\/span>providers<\/span>, including:<\/p>\n