elderly relatives until they were gone. We basically bought food for them and kept them in medical appointments etc. This went on for a few years...enabling them to remain in their own houses etc...We also fully realize that there will be no one to look after us when our time comes...we're both in our 50's...Not that we want anything special from anybody....BUT I'm wondering if the time has really come for gay rest homes in the western world. There certainly has been talk of it in Vancouver at least. There are a lot of us baby boomers out there who are probably going to require this care....I imagine many of you are far too young to even think about this...but does anyone have any comments??
We, for two, don't want to be separated and parcelled off to some straight run home. We've been together 20 years and that's the way we want it to stay.
2006-09-17 19:36:26 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
OMG what a great question!!!!
My partner and I have wondered about this off and on as well.
We've always said that if we ever won the lottery we'd start a GLBT senior home and co-operative. A place were GLBT seniors and even middle aged GLBT's could live, share and care for each other as we age.
Many in our community do not have family who will be there for us when we get on in years. Although many of us do, but those are the lucky ones.
(Myself included in the lucky catagory)
But so many of our community aren't as lucky. We must rely on each other as we age, as we have in the past.
We must remain a real Community.
I know there is ONE such center in Massatchusets, but it's the only one of it's kind and they have a very long waiting list.
So, it's up to us to take care of our own!
2006-09-17 19:41:52 · answer #1 · answered by DEATH 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Morbid question, but here is what I have done... I have a lover whom I love very much..he is 7 years my junior. I also have an ex-lover who, for reasons, is my best friend, and we all live together in our house...the arrangement has worked out very well for all concerned. WE three have power of attorney in health matters, and iron clad wills that cannot be broken. IF the quality of life sinks to the point that one does not wish to pursue this phase of "being," he will be nudged out and over with a little help from his friends. There will be NO machines, etc. keeping anyone here alive. IF I reach an age that I cannot take care of myself, I certainly do not want to continue..that is my choice. I will NOT allow a State regulator to take over my affairs, that is for sure. But I have a safety valve here in that I have two sons, my lover has two sons, and my friend has kids. So, in effect, we are taken care of, one way or another. BUT! There certainly is a huge business opportunity here, isn't there? Have you considered opening up a facility to do just as you suggest? Why not? I have my hands full of my own businesses, or I certainly would look into it. Not only is the business profitable, but it is kind and loving if operated correctly. This is a very different business than terminal care facilities that are common. Perhaps Gay doctors would be the logical partner in such an Enterprise. ????
2006-09-18 05:33:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
great question! there is definitely a need for such a facility. I hope there will be something like that available when the time comes for us. are you two legally married then, since you are in Canada? I hope we earn that right here in the States one day. Here in St. Louis, we can and have registered out domestic partnership, and we've had a commitment ceremony, but that's not really giving us any of the legal rights we'd like to have.
2006-09-18 11:29:20 · answer #3 · answered by redcatt63 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think about it too much, not because I considere it morbid, but because I know everything will work out. I feel that I will have left something behind that benefits others and that is a very rewarding feeling. Mainly I will be looking forward to the next stretch of the journey.
2006-09-18 07:13:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There actually are some sprouting up in the US, Florida naturally if I remember right. Okay. So now I'm depressed. I prefer not to think about this just yet.
Ask an upbeat question so I can call it a day on an upbeat note, okay. :)
2006-09-18 02:43:14 · answer #5 · answered by Alex62 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Is there any way to have some type of will or power of attorney drawn to express what you two want? I'm 38 and my partner is 47. I hate to think of those things, but as I get older and as she gets older it's something to seriously think about. I hope things work out for you and all of our "family". Still thinking about moving to Canada though. I hear Toronto is nice...
2006-09-18 02:42:38 · answer #6 · answered by Grommitt18 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm straight, but I think its wonderful you have been together for so long. Many a straight couple haven't made it that long. I hope both of you can live the rest of your life together, and whoever is the first to go can go while looking into their lover's eyes.
2006-09-18 02:40:21 · answer #7 · answered by Hicktown girl66 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Jeeze, u have to read 'fat fifty and ******' by an aussie guy, it relates to a rest home that bikies set up with gays in mind.
Im straight, in my forties, no kids, no family left, whos gonna look after me? I do wonder sometimes
Yes im sure someone will set up gay rest homes if they havnt already
Great question
2006-09-18 07:41:59 · answer #8 · answered by livachic2005 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well considering the fact of where you live, that might be an excellent argument for being Married. I don't think they can or will seperate a legally married couple that way.....
2006-09-18 07:12:13 · answer #9 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm in mid 20' and so is my partner. but i do think about it sometimes. start having retirement plan to have enough money? don't think my country have such a plan for gay retirement home (we're from &live in Vietnam)
2006-09-18 06:26:19 · answer #10 · answered by hoang anh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋