AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Multi-agency Collaboration Improves Access to Culturally Sensitive Care and Support Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Seniors

Innovation Profile:

Multi-agency Collaboration Improves Access to Culturally Sensitive Care and Support Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Seniors


Snapshot
Summary
Between 2005 and 2009, Aging as Ourselves worked to improve access to culturally sensitive health-related resources and support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors in San Diego County through a community-based collaboration of agencies. "Mainstream" (i.e., those who do not specifically cater to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender service providers offered a safe and caring network of health, legal, and social services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors. The program also conducted community education initiatives designed to raise awareness of the unique issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors. The program improved access to culturally appropriate care and services and led to more social interaction, better mental health, and an increased willingness to disclose sexual orientation to health care providers and others. Although the program formally ended in 2009 due to funding issues, participating agencies continue to provide many of the program's services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors.

See the Results section for updated data on program impact, the Planning and Development Process section for information on the termination of the program's collaborative efforts, and the Adoption Considerations section for new insights on getting started and sustaining the innovation (updated March 2010).

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of post-implementation survey responses on access to service and social interaction from LGBT seniors served by the program as of 2008, comparisons of pre- and post-intervention mental health evaluation questionnaires from 139 participants provided with mental health services between January 2006 and March 2009, and comparisons of pre- and post-intervention survey responses on sexual orientation disclosure from a group of 36 new clients receiving program services between March 2008 and March 2009.

Developing Organizations
Alliance Healthcare Foundation; Elder Law and Advocacy; ElderHelp of San Diego; Family Health Centers of San Diego; PALS/LINC-age; S.A.G.E. of California; San Diego LGBT Community Center

ElderHelp of San Diego served as the lead collaborating agency. One original collaborating agency, PALS/LINC-age, left the program during its operation.


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AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Multi-agency Collaboration Improves Access to Culturally Sensitive Care and Support Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Seniors