Today, Woodland Pond at New Paltz announced its participation and designation as a “LGBTQ+ Long-Term Care Equality High Performer” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and SAGE’s Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI). The LEI is the only national benchmarking tool focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion in residential long-term care and senior housing communities. This year, 274 senior housing communities across 33 states participated in the LEI. In 2018, Woodland Pond was the nation’s first CCRC to be named a leader in LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.
According to a recent study by AARP, 78 percent of LGBTQ+ adults 45-plus are concerned about having enough support as they age. With a greater likelihood to be single and without children, LGBTQ+ older people can benefit from the support of paid aging services and supports like residential long-term care and senior housing. Inclusive housing providers are pivotal partners in helping the LGBTQ+ community age with dignity and respect.
“All 274 participating communities deserve our deepest gratitude for their leadership,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “Their work sends a powerful message: LGBTQ+ people deserve to age with dignity, safety, and pride in communities that see and understand who they are. The best care is found in communities that embrace our full humanity and lived experiences, from residents to staff and visitors.”
The LEI measures the following policy and practice areas as benchmarks of LGBTQ+ inclusion in senior housing settings:
· Non-Discrimination and Staff Training
o Ensuring legal protections for LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, and staff along with staff training is a critical step in laying down the foundation for inclusivity.
· Resident Services & Support
o This section of the LEI asks about policies and practices that demonstrate progress toward LGBTQ+ resident care and support.
· Employee Benefits & Policies
o LGBTQ+ employees, like LGBTQ+ residents, should receive equal treatment and access to health-related benefits and policies.
· Resident & Community Engagement
o This section of the LEI asks about best practices a community takes to publicly demonstrate its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
For more information on the LEI and to view the 2025 report, click here.
