Washington, DC – Ingleside, a leading not-for-profit provider of comprehensive older adult services in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, is proud to announce its participation and certification as an “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 designed to assess and improve LGBTQ+ inclusion in senior housing and residential long-term care communities. It promotes the adoption of policies and practices that ensure culturally competent and responsive care for LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, and employees. This year, 274 senior housing communities across 33 states participated in the LEI.
“Ingleside communities remain dedicated to promoting an inclusive culture for our residents and employees,” said Ingleside President and CEO Lynn O’Connor. “Our mission is to ensure the well-being of every resident, and that includes fostering an equitable environment where each person’s individuality is celebrated.”
Older adults in the LGBTQ+ community often face discrimination, particularly in long-term care facilities, senior centers, and when seeking services like healthcare and housing. This discrimination can lead to feelings of isolation, fear of discrimination, and difficulty accessing vital services and support. The LEI aims to hold long-term care facilities accountable for providing equitable care for all, including LGBTQ+ elders, and to ensure a smoother, more welcoming transition into long-term care.
The LEI measures the following policy and practice areas as benchmarks of LGBTQ+ inclusion in senior housing settings:
- Non-Discrimination & 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 demonstrate its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community publicly.
For more information on the LEI and to view the latest report, click here. For more information on Ingleside’s efforts to embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, visit their website.
About Ingleside
Ingleside is a premier, charitable not-for-profit provider of comprehensive services and opportunities for older adults in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Based in Rockville, MD, Ingleside is the supporting organization for three CARF-accredited, SAGECare platinum LGBT cultural competency credentialed, not-for-profit life plan communities, and two not-for-profit affiliates. Ingleside’s family of communities include Ingleside at Rock Creek (Washington, D.C.), Westminster at Lake Ridge (Lake Ridge, VA), and Ingleside at King Farm (Rockville, MD). Affiliates include Ingleside at Home by Interim, a home-based care program, and Westminster InglesideFoundation, which supports the communities’ charitable activities. Named a 2024 Best Workplaces in Aging Services™ by Great Place to Work®, Ingleside’s mission is to provide strategic and operational leadership that enables our communities and affiliates to excel in their missions. For more information, visit www.inglesideonline.org.