Promoting LGBT inclusive senior living is an important priority for Dayspring Villa. Since December of 2017, Dayspring Villa, near Sloan’s Lake, has made space for a group of LGBT seniors, team members, and their allies to gather together monthly. This elder-driven group, LGBT + Friends, has served as a safe forum for participants to discuss challenges they have overcome and the advocacy and work towards inclusivity that they would still like to accomplish.

The group welcomes older adults from neighboring Francis Heights, an independent living community, and has expanded its outreach through LGBT film nights and an annual PRIDE BBQ. These gatherings foster visibility, connection, and belonging.

Our commitment to inclusivity continues to grow through initiatives and we support efforts that reflect our dedication to creating a welcoming, affirming environment where all residents feel valued and heard.

Colorado Health Foundation Grant

With this vision in mind, on behalf of the group, Dayspring Villa and Christian Living Communities (CLC), the operations owner, in partnership with the University of Colorado, applied for and were awarded a grant from The Colorado Health Foundation to address health inequities faced by LGBT older adults. The project, “We’re just as normal as everybody else”, is rooted in this vision for inclusive assisted living communities.

The goal of this two-year project has been to train and educate associates at six CLC-owned communities in Colorado to create a culture of equity inside assisted living communities. In year one, the focus was on creating a video featuring stories from LGBT elders and team members living and working in CLC communities titled “Caring for All: Opening Hearts and Minds.”

Through this training and education, our goal is for Dayspring Elders’ vision of inclusive senior living communities to be realized. The work aligns with CLC’s value of We! Belong, which focuses on belonging and whole-person wellness, and its commitment to creating communities where aging is honored and celebrated. This training has also been shared with other senior living providers at the 2022 National Leading Age Conference in Denver.

Dayspring Villa is pleased to have had the opportunity to partner with the University of Colorado, which has helped evaluate the effectiveness of this training as well as administer the grant. If you would like to learn more about this training, please contact Stormie Foust Maley at sfoust@clcliving.org.

Promoting LGBT Inclusive Senior Living with Eden Alternative Tools and Values

Christian Living Communities was thrilled to share our Colorado health Foundation grant-funded project to increase belonging for LGBT older adults at the 30th Anniversary Eden Alternative Conference. Held in June 2024 in King of Prussia, PA, the theme of the conference was Move Mountains, Embrace Possibilities. Jill Vitale-Aussem, President & CEO and Stormie Foust Maley, Annual Giving Manager, presented the project in a conference session titled “Creating Inclusive Communities for LGBTQ+ Older Adults.”

Session attendees watched “Caring for All: Opening Hearts and Minds” to learn directly from LGBT older adults who live at Dayspring Villa and other CLC communities about some of the barriers that they have faced to feeling like they belong. Stormie and Jill shared how the project aligns with CLC’s values and the CLC Citizenship Model, and the Eden Alternative person-directed care approach.

They also shared how Eden Alternative tools like the Learning Circle were incorporated into the project design, and some of the feedback received from residents and team members about the project. Attendees received a link to the video, and access to a discussion guide so that they could screen the video for team members or residents in their organizations.

Team Reflections Drive Growth in LGBT Inclusive Senior Living

As part of the initiative to create LGBT inclusive senior living, the project sought to deepen understanding and drive meaningful change in support of LGBT older adults. The project was co-directed by Carey Candrian, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Candrian surveyed Christian Living Communities team members following their participation in video screenings and group discussions to evaluate how the project impacted their understanding of the needs of LGBT older adults.

One key question asked team members what they would differently in their work after viewing the video. Their thoughtful responses reflected a meaningful shift in awareness and included:

• Being more mindful around the language used with all residents
• Continue see others as of value.
• Not always assume a husband or wife – ask about if partner included and list
• Be more aware of respecting people.
• More awareness of language
• Creating safe places for people to share
• Accepting others
• The language we use
• Be more accepting of all people
• Continue to love and care for people. Be a better listener.
• Using the word partner from now on.

Dayspring Villa’s LGBT + Friends Group Featured in Collective Colorado Story

We are thrilled and honored that Dayspring Villa’s LGBT + Friends group was featured in a December 2022 story by journalist Claire Cleveland, originally published by Collective Colorado. LGBTQ+ older adults can face a lot of uncertainty and even discrimination when searching for a senior living community to call home. It’s wonderful to share how our community actively works to create space and belonging for LGBTQ+ residents! This story was also published by The Colorado Sun.

Promoting LGBT Inclusive Senior Living by Reducing Inequality in Senior Living for LGBT Older Adults

In January of 2020, the LGBT + Friends group gathered for a learning circle to talk about a big, important question: How can we reduce inequality in senior living communities for LGBT older adults? Participants are profoundly aware that the majority of LGBT older adults seeking senior living choose to go back into the closet, choosing not to share that they are LGBT out of fear that they will receive inequitable treatment. Residents shared ideas on what they thought an inclusive community for LGBT elders would look like.
Among their ideas and comments: