News

Edenwald Senior Living Earns Recognition in Inaugural Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) by HRC Foundation and SAGE

Two senior women sit at a glass table holding coffee mugs, they both wear glasses and have short white hair, are facing each other and sharing a laugh. There is a tree-like plant and artwork in a gold frame behind them.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2023

Edenwald Senior Living Earns Recognition in Inaugural Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) by HRC Foundation and SAGE

TOWSON, MARYLAND – Today, Edenwald Senior Living 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 nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of residential long-term care and senior housing communities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ residents, visitors and employees. This year, 200 senior housing communities across 34 states participated in the LEI.

“Our participation in the LEI is important because as an inclusive community, we celebrate, embrace and promote diversity. We recognize the inherent value of every individual, including the right to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,” said David Brown, VP, Chief Information and Equity Officer at Edenwald Senior Living.

Many older LGBTQ+ adults are fearful of living their authentic selves or faced with outright discrimination against them and their families simply because of who they are. In a study by AARP, 76 percent of older LGBTQ+ people expressed concern about having adequate social support to rely on as they age. The same study found that 73 percent of LGBTQ+ older people do not have access to LGBTQ+-specific services for older people.

“We are committed to empowering individuals to be their authentic selves, in a safe environment, where they feel a sense of acceptance and belonging,” Brown said.

“With anti-LGBTQ+ extremism on the rise, it is more important than ever to create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ people and that includes the places we age. It’s powerful to see more than 200 communities come together with HRC and SAGE to deliver on values of inclusion and equity,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “Our older LGBTQ+ community – the ones whose shoulders we stand on – are so often forgotten, and they deserve more from all of us. The participation in our first-ever LEI is a huge step forward in uplifting and protecting the needs and rights of our elders. And we aren’t done – we look forward to seeing expanded participation in the LEI in years to come.”

The LEI measures the following policy and practice areas as benchmarks of LGBTQ+ inclusion in senior housing settings:

Non-Discrimination and Staff Training
- 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
- This section of the LEI asks about policies and practices that demonstrate progress toward LGBTQ+ resident care and support.
Employee Benefits & Policies
- LGBTQ+ employees, like LGBTQ+ residents, should receive equal treatment and access to health-related benefits and policies.
Resident & Community Engagement
- 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 2023 report, click here.

About Edenwald Senior Living

Located in the desirable Towson community near dining, shopping, Goucher College and Baltimore’s many cultural offerings, Edenwald is a resident-driven, intellectually rich community. Enjoy a lifestyle steeped in culture, enhanced by finely appointed, maintenance-free apartment homes, stellar service and amenities, and exceptional healthcare, if ever needed, right on campus. For more information, visit www.edenwald.org.

###