I really need your opinion please.

[DVC~OKW~96]

Particularly if you are gay, although all opinions are welcome and sought.

OK, briefly...

With regard to aging... we all are doing it, and the alternative to aging isn't something I find too attractive.

Do you believe there is a market/niche for an assisted living facility that speaks directly to the needs of an aging gay population?

Would you ever consider living in one (although I honestly know there isn't anyone here old enough to really contemplate that)?

If you did, or knew someone old enough to, what would the primary considerations be? I know safety is a huge factor, at least it would be for me, and I mean specifically safety from ignorance.

Would you name it something that immediately identified it to the gay population, or would you be concerned that a highly identifiable name would bring out the bigots?

These are poorly formed questions, but I appreciate any feedback at all...

Oh, and I'm talking about an ALF here in Florida (central) and a small one at this time (25 or less).

 

[ConcKahuna]

This is something I think would be a great idea. My DP and I have mentioned before that there should be more GLBT retirement communities in the area, and assisted living would make that easier for a lot of people who don't have families.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think I have heard of this concept before. It sounds familiar.

I think it is a fine idea!

I guess my concerns would be similar to concerns at ANY ALF. Safety, privacy, comfort, caring staff, competent doctors. Maybe have some resources targeted specifically to GLBT seniors, like attorneys to help draft wills and so forth.

I would think couples (AND individuals) who do not have children or other family members to help look after them as they age would be VERY interested in this concept.

I am not good with names. Although the Jewish retirement home here is called Golden Acres or something like that. I find that to be a HIDEOUS name. "Tooth Acres" is the pet cemetery!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

It would be a gay centered ALF. For any third party involvement (doctor, ARNP, ect.) I would first look for "family" to be sure the culture was preserved. However, if I couldn't find a professional who is gay, then I would certainly open the concept up to anyone who was gay positive.

I wondered about the lack of family, ConcK. I kind of wondered if that was an issue that was "going away" with some of the increased acceptance?

I'm really, really interested in looking into this. I have the qualifications and certifications to own and operate an ALF in Florida... it's the backers, eh? Isn't it always. * sigh *

I'd have to do much research (and that's a bit of what this is all about) to analyze the market, ect.

I think I'll contact Saging too, although there isn't a chapter here...

I just don't know how to tap into a group of aging gay folk... I'd like to do a focus group, you know?

 

[f86sabjf]

hmmm i think it would be a great idea . Although i'm not sure who would fund it or which healthcare provider would do it. Why not there is every other type of assisted living out there. From normal to alzheimers to religious groups. I think it could be a good thing. However i might be scared of what the knuckle heads of the world would do if they thought they could prey on old gay and lesbian folks. I might be concerned about there safety even more so than the avg old person.

 

[C&G'sMama]

I'm OCD and I love google. I googled "gay nursing homes" and got some hits. If you haven't done that already it might be a place to start to find places up and going and what other folks are doing.

I think it's definitely a need and a great concept.

Keep us posted.

 

[Sphyrna]

I would think it would depend on the area as to if there is enough demand for it. But I do like the idea.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Isn't there a group called Prime Timers or something like that specifically targeted to the older gay community? Maybe that is a group you could connect with.

 

[OrlandoMike]

This concept is a great idea, and I think there are a few of them around, mostly out west.

But one in Central Florida? You just hit the ball out of the park sister!

Now where do we start? There is a ton of medical work going on in the Lake Nona area....and a ton of land for sale, still pretty cheap.......

 

[wallyb]

I can't believe it does not already exist.
It Should!

Needs to have a bar! A gray bar!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Well, I've "searched" under all the keywords I can think of and haven't come up with any specific ALF in FL. One really nice sounding one in CO...

Wally, that's a good point, and a serious one. Social "hour" is an important part of the whole concept.

It's not a medical model, it's a home/living model that provides personal services to keep a person in the least restrictive environment, and at his/her most independent level of "being."

Ideally it should be in a residential area, however zoning becomes an issue then... so often an ALF will end up in a commercial area. That can work, but it takes good planning.

OK, so you are all encouraging me. This is a long held dream, and hey I'm not getting any younger, eh? LOL.

Time to start pushing the dreams into reality.

I know the regulations for opening and operating an ALF, cold. It's the marketing and feasibility that I'm struggling to work with. Just because I think something is a great idea, doesn't mean the bank will...

 

[C&G'sMama]

I know the regulations for opening and operating an ALF, cold. It's the marketing and feasibility that I'm struggling to work with. Just because I think something is a great idea, doesn't mean the bank will...

Then maybe you can find someone who would be good at selling the idea to the bank. I think it's very cool that you're even trying.

I know I talk a alot my kids' school but it's a great point of reference for me. The guy who started it used to be a teacher in the district in which we reside. He did a lot of cool things in his classroom and got results. He also ticked a lot of people off and ended up leaving and taking various jobs to support his family. He tried to get one school going but it was rejected by the state. He kept at it though and in 2005 the school opened its doors. There have been growing pains but this school works. And it started with a dream and a lot of chutzpah.

Here's a link to their story.
http://www.urbanchoicecharter.org/inthenews/charter-school-today-uccs.pdf

Some day we'll be reading about you.

 

[rpmdfw]

I like that they named the one in San Francisco "Barbary Lane" after the place where the characters in "Tales of the City" lived.

http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-06-17/real-estate/17250832_1_openly-lgbt-michael-tolliver-lives

So, yes, I think a gay identifiable name is something that should be considered.

 

[hippiemama76]

My aunts (49 and 52) have talked about starting one up in Central Florida. We jokingly call it The Commune, because for right now it would just be our circle of friends/family all building on my acreage my aunt owns outside Eustis. But we have talked about a real need for LGBT geriatric care, especially in this area.

For the name (I'm so cheesy) I would go with Babylon, or Kinnetik LOL. (Kidding, but - dang, I miss that show so much!)

 

[kamik86]

The only thing you haev said that may be hard to do is you mentioned trying to find doctors etc in the "family". Now I can see being Gay friendly being a requirement that you can inforce becasue being friendly to the residents would be important but since sexual orientation is a protected status you may have a hard time trying to keep the staff all Gay... I mean you wouldn't like a place that wouldn't hire anyone that was gay right? I know discrimination suits rarely go in that direction but you wouldn't want to open yourself up to a non-gay friendly lawyer wanting to make a name for him/herself.

My concern with you staffing that way is that if I had a relative that wanted to live in a place like this I would be concerned that you may be passing up the best nurses etc due to your hireing perferences because really if there is a medical problem I would want the best care as long as the person wasn't hostile.

 

[cmpdw4me]

I LOVE the idea. One day, DP & I may need to live in a ALF and if that day comes, we would for SURE want to live with other couples like ourselves. It would just feel natural and right. I mean, you want to live out the last part of your journey, along with other people who share you life experiences, don't you? Just like straight people do. They want to be with other couples that have been married forever and talk about their grandchildren. We are no different, only our life experinces may be different. I LOVE it~

 

[jenn&nelsonrego]

I love the idea! Everybody deserves a places to grow old comfortably surrounded by people who love them.

I'd say go for it!

 

[itsmuggsie]

I think it's a great idea also!! I just did a google search also and it does not appear to be any in FL.

You may want to do a search of a Senior GLBT org, where you may be able to get some good feedback from your demographic audience. I thought there was one in ST Pete, but I couldn't find it doing a search.

I know there is a big population of gay and lesbian seniors in pinellas county so I'm thinking there is probably a group or two. Saturday is Pride day in ST Pete I'll take a look and see if I can find some info.

 

[EWR2AUS]

Seems like a great idea to me!

You may also want to look into joining a group like StartOut, which is a networking group for LGBT entrepreneurs

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/building-a-network-of-gay-entrepreneurs/

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

The only thing you haev said that may be hard to do is you mentioned trying to find doctors etc in the "family". Now I can see being Gay friendly being a requirement that you can inforce becasue being friendly to the residents would be important but since sexual orientation is a protected status you may have a hard time trying to keep the staff all Gay... I mean you wouldn't like a place that wouldn't hire anyone that was gay right? I know discrimination suits rarely go in that direction but you wouldn't want to open yourself up to a non-gay friendly lawyer wanting to make a name for him/herself.

My concern with you staffing that way is that if I had a relative that wanted to live in a place like this I would be concerned that you may be passing up the best nurses etc due to your hireing perferences because really if there is a medical problem I would want the best care as long as the person wasn't hostile.

I would search out gay professionals, and if they were not available then go with the best choices that were not gay. It's the way I live my life.

I miss QAF too!

Thanks for the info! I'll look forward to any information you can find at the Pride will be most appreciated!

I've contacted SAGE.

Just to clarify, I'm not advocating "discriminatory" hiring practices, rather a concentrated effort to hire folks who would be of the culture, or extremely supportive (like our wonderful CSP here) of the culture.

Yes, Rob I agree. It would have to be a name that sent a message, but with grace, and without being antagonistic.

And ALF is a home, first. It is not a medical model. It is a place where people who have ADL deficits can live a full life, with quality service and care to promote the highest level of independence s/he can achieve.

I'll get off my soapbox! LOL.

Thank you all for the support and feedback. I'm trying to run a rumor (of a licensed 7 bedroom ALF in Winter Garden for sale) to ground... that could be the start of something BIG!

Thank you for the links, too!