The challenges of aging can be quite difficult for LGBTQ+ seniors. I am fortunate to have family support, but I know some who struggle and need to rely on friends who are not necessarily close by. We should always seek to make sure there is support for those in our orbit.
I don't have family in general, I was an unadopted foster. My partner is 81 and I'm 61, he has family, but most are way too far away, but they all get along with him and me. We have been together for 30 years. I don't want kids, lol. We do have some friends but most live in Ft. Lauderdale, we live in Miami. I wanted to move to Ft. Lauderdale, but I lost my job of 15 years in 2019. My house is paid off and we don't really live that far from FTL and the highway is not from the house, so here we'll stay, lol.
That’s heartbreaking. What type of care was he able to receive in Canada? Does he have like a live-in caregiver? We did that for my grand parent for a while but his money ran out too fast. He hadn’t planned for any of this. He didn’t really have friends, or at least close friends who would help out with basic things. Between me, my brother and 2 cousin, he was able to receive care and stay home. Had he been gay, with no grand kids and friends? Life would’ve been miserable for him. I understand long term financial planning is important but even that’s not enough to get you through. I don’t care if you’re 20, 40 or 90 years old. If you don’t have people in your life who truly love you, you’re screwed. Private care centers are ridiculously expensive. This is a great topic. Thanks for sharing.
Friends are exceptionally important to older gay/lesbian people. But what if you don't have them? A great many of us are truly isolated, especially those of us who do not live on the Coasts. What will happen to us when we are unable to care for ourselves is truly frightening.
@@lawrencebaker2318 Yes you do. And the lack of friends is what I tell everyone to avoid. You may be closeted, and that makes it more difficult to gather a few good and loyal gay friends. But either way, try to connect to gay groups, not via social media (social media is worthless on this issue) , meet in person. Go to a nearby large city and visit their gay center. Attend meeting, social events. If you watch more of my videos, I talk about it a lot. I'll tell you, if I was in some "gay desert" town, I'd move to a gay friendly place where I could more easily interact and make gay friends..
@@JacksGayChats Thank you for your practical reply. I am not closeted. I know there are gay organizations in my city, I am lucky in that regard. I know that when I don't reach out, it is on me. I have tried in the past, but guess I have to just keep trying. I know there has to be a tribe for me, but I just don't seem to fit in anywhere Thanks for taking the time to respond. It helps!
@@lawrencebaker2318 One helpful hint it to put the idea of sex aside. Think about going to lunch, to a movie, find someone who plays cards or board games, or has a similar hobby. Maybe volunteer to help for an AIDS program, or help out at the center. I';m sure you know gay guys, even if not well, try to connect with them because you can meet their friends. Sometimes we get an invite and we reject it out of hand because it's not really our thing, but... accept it, make it your thing, at least temporarily, Think outside the box.
The challenges of aging can be quite difficult for LGBTQ+ seniors. I am fortunate to have family support, but I know some who struggle and need to rely on friends who are not necessarily close by. We should always seek to make sure there is support for those in our orbit.
Yes, and create an orbit.
@@JacksGayChats I could not agree more.
I don't have family in general, I was an unadopted foster. My partner is 81 and I'm 61, he has family, but most are way too far away, but they all get along with him and me. We have been together for 30 years. I don't want kids, lol. We do have some friends but most live in Ft. Lauderdale, we live in Miami. I wanted to move to Ft. Lauderdale, but I lost my job of 15 years in 2019. My house is paid off and we don't really live that far from FTL and the highway is not from the house, so here we'll stay, lol.
Well... not bad.
That’s heartbreaking. What type of care was he able to receive in Canada? Does he have like a live-in caregiver? We did that for my grand parent for a while but his money ran out too fast. He hadn’t planned for any of this. He didn’t really have friends, or at least close friends who would help out with basic things. Between me, my brother and 2 cousin, he was able to receive care and stay home. Had he been gay, with no grand kids and friends? Life would’ve been miserable for him. I understand long term financial planning is important but even that’s not enough to get you through. I don’t care if you’re 20, 40 or 90 years old. If you don’t have people in your life who truly love you, you’re screwed. Private care centers are ridiculously expensive. This is a great topic. Thanks for sharing.
I can't disagree with you. And I strongly support a close circle of friends. It's no guarantee, but nothing is.
Friends are exceptionally important to older gay/lesbian people. But what if you don't have them? A great many of us are truly isolated, especially those of us who do not live on the Coasts. What will happen to us when we are unable to care for ourselves is truly frightening.
May I ask, How old are you?
@@JacksGayChats 62. Hopefully some time left! LOL!
@@lawrencebaker2318 Yes you do. And the lack of friends is what I tell everyone to avoid. You may be closeted, and that makes it more difficult to gather a few good and loyal gay friends. But either way, try to connect to gay groups, not via social media (social media is worthless on this issue) , meet in person. Go to a nearby large city and visit their gay center. Attend meeting, social events. If you watch more of my videos, I talk about it a lot. I'll tell you, if I was in some "gay desert" town, I'd move to a gay friendly place where I could more easily interact and make gay friends..
@@JacksGayChats Thank you for your practical reply. I am not closeted. I know there are gay organizations in my city, I am lucky in that regard. I know that when I don't reach out, it is on me. I have tried in the past, but guess I have to just keep trying. I know there has to be a tribe for me, but I just don't seem to fit in anywhere Thanks for taking the time to respond. It helps!
@@lawrencebaker2318 One helpful hint it to put the idea of sex aside. Think about going to lunch, to a movie, find someone who plays cards or board games, or has a similar hobby. Maybe volunteer to help for an AIDS program, or help out at the center. I';m sure you know gay guys, even if not well, try to connect with them because you can meet their friends. Sometimes we get an invite and we reject it out of hand because it's not really our thing, but... accept it, make it your thing, at least temporarily, Think outside the box.