Arlington, Massachusetts, stands out as a community deeply committed to supporting its older residents, with nearly 30% of its population over age 60. At the heart of this commitment is the Arlington Council on Aging (COA), led by Executive Director Kristine Shah, and supported by a dedicated team including Social Worker Marci Shapiro Ide, LICSW. Since reopening its renovated center in 2022, the COA has seen a dramatic increase in engagement, more than doubling the number of people it serves.
“Our days are very unpredictable sometimes here, you never know what’s going happen,” Kristine shares, describing the dynamic nature of their work. From facilitating yoga classes to addressing housing crises, the Arlington COA team navigates a broad spectrum of needs, always striving to help as many people as possible.
Marci Shapiro Ide, LICSW, a social worker at the Arlington COA, brings a unique background to her role. After years in philanthropy and even the state prison system, Marci sought a more direct connection with people. Her journey into supporting older adults, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, was serendipitous. Recalling her initial foray into LGBTQ+ programming, Marci describes attending the LGBTQ+ aging conference: “It was the most amazing conference. I actually went 2 years in a row… how would you not love a conference where a drag queen greets you at the door?” This experience sparked a determination to bring similar inclusivity to Arlington.
A pivotal step was undertaking the “Open Door” training in 2013, offered by the LGBTQ+ Aging Project, which educated all COA staff, local clergy, and other non-profit professionals. A core outcome of this training was the development of a comprehensive welcome statement. This statement, which is still prominently featured in their newsletter and throughout the center, Kristine notes, “really speaks to how we value everybody in the community.” It serves as a visible and enduring symbol of the COA’s commitment, going beyond simple gestures like a rainbow sticker.
Initial LGBTQ+ specific programming, such as movie nights, took time to gain traction. “A lot of it didn’t work, or I would say attendance was very low,” Marci admits. However, persistent efforts, like partnering with the library for an off-site movie series and hosting the intergenerational “Sage Table” meals, gradually built a stronger sense of community. Marci also recalls that identifying the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population around 2012 by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) was crucial. She explains, “obviously, it’s not a great thing to be identified as underserved, but it provides more guidance and weight when you’re developing programs.” This recognition enabled the COA to secure funding and further legitimize their inclusive initiatives. The virtual shift during the COVID-19 pandemic, surprisingly, led to a “huge spike” in participation for their LGBTQ+ online groups, with up to 20 people attending weekly. This underscored the profound need for connection.
Over the past decade, Arlington has seen a notable shift in attitudes. Kristine observes that non-LGBTQ+ individuals are becoming more comfortable attending programs that haveLGBTQ+ themes, like a movie about Abraham Lincoln’s relationships. “I think people were afraid to come to that type of a movie 12 years ago, it was a, ‘I don’t want to be in that room with people who might think that I’m watching it because I’m gay.'” This growing comfort has fostered a more integrated environment where affinity groups remain valuable but individuals also feel secure joining any class or activity.
Marci highlights that despite Arlington’s generally inclusive nature, some barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals persist, often stemming from historical societal pressures. Many older LGBTQ+ adults may have aged without a legal spouse or children, leading to limited support networks for critical needs like caregiving or designating a healthcare proxy. “There’s a lot of LGBT older adults who have been unmarried or single, and don’t have the support of a partner as they age and all of their friends are similar ages also dealing with age related health issues.” She further elaborates on the challenges when trying to identify support systems for these individuals: “ Financially, I’ve seen that it varies and there are many people for whom finances are not an issue. Many LBGTQ+ individuals can pay for the care they need as long as they know where to get it.” This emphasizes the crucial role COAs play in providing connection and resources.
When asked how other centers can replicate Arlington’s success, Marci points to ongoing collaboration and shared learning. She recommends the monthly programming meetings hosted by the LGBTQ+ Aging Project, a resource advertised by the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA). She also champions the concept of an inclusive welcome statement and a gradual, consistent approach to integrating LGBTQ+ affirming activities. Marci adds a practical tip based on her experience: “I started partnering with the library. And we did a movie series. And that was one of my most popular programs.” This strategy of leveraging existing community resources for outreach proved highly effective.
Here are key takeaways for other Councils on Aging:
Top Strategies for Councils on Aging to Foster Inclusivity and Welcome
- Develop and Prominently Display a Welcome Statement: Craft a statement that clearly articulates your COA’s commitment to valuing every community member, regardless of identity. Post it in your facility and include it regularly in your communications. Kristine shares that this statement “really speaks to how we value everybody in the community.”
- Utilize Training and Educational Resources: Engage with programs like the “Open Door” training from the LGBTQ+ Aging Project. Educating staff and the broader community is fundamental.
- Start Slowly and Build Momentum: Begin with one or two targeted programs and assess what resonates. Initial attendance may be low, but consistency and thoughtful outreach will build trust and participation over time. Kristine noted, “It just took time to build it.”
- Partner with Community Organizations: Collaborating with local libraries, LGBTQ+ organizations, or even high school GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances) can expand your reach and offer diverse programming. Marci highlights that her collaboration with the library for movie series “was one of my most popular programs.”
- Leverage Recognition of Underserved Populations: If a community is identified as underserved, like the LGBTQ+ community was by NCOA, use that recognition to advocate for and secure funding for specific programming. Marci explains, “It gives a lot of weight when you’re developing programs.”
- Integrate, Don’t Segregate: While affinity groups have value, strive to integrate LGBTQ+ content and inclusivity into mainstream programming. This normalizes acceptance and broadens participation. Kristine observes, “We’re seeing people feel much more included, saying things like, ‘I can come to this movie,’ and ‘I can go to the yoga class,’ without the need for a separate LGBTQ+ mindfulness class as long as there still time and space for affinity groups.“
- Embrace and Highlight Inclusivity in All Communications: Clearly state that events are open to “LGBTQ+ individuals and friends” to signal a welcoming environment for allies and family members. Kristine explains this approach: “Once people realized that LGBTQ+ seniors and their friends are hosting a party everybody’s welcome to come.”
Arlington’s journey exemplifies how dedication, strategic programming, and a genuine commitment to welcoming all members can transform a Council on Aging into a vibrant, inclusive hub, fostering essential connections and combating isolation for everyone in the community.
