December 4, 2024
Historic California Survey Shows Strong Quality of Life Among LGBTQIA+ Older Adults
California’s first statewide LGBTQIA+ older adult survey reveals 86% of respondents report high quality of life. The 2024 “From Challenges to Resilience” survey gathered data from over 4,000 participants statewide, as adults over 60 are projected to make up 25% of California’s population by 2030. An estimated 5% of these older adults identify as LGBTQIA+.
The survey, part of California’s Master Plan for Aging, examined economic and social well-being, discrimination, healthcare access, service utilization, mental health, and physical health. While findings were largely positive, people of color and transgender individuals reported lower quality of life ratings.
Common concerns among respondents included difficulties accessing services, limited social support (especially for caregivers), and hesitancy to trust healthcare providers. In response, the California Department of Aging recommends expanding behavioral health support, improving provider training, and increasing services through trusted local LGBTQIA+ organizations.
The California Department of Aging recommends expanding behavioral health support, improving provider training, and increasing services through local LGBTQIA+ organizations.
For more information visit https://aging.ca.gov/Survey_of_LGBTQIA/
