staff or contractors. Wellness programs funded by the City should incorporate a know-yourrights component, so that seniors have the opportunity to learn about life-planning documents and the protections they afford. When done properly, the life planning/estate planning process is also life affirming and empowering. It creates peace of mind, and therefore can promote wellness. Models for Sample Documents The Transgender Law Center (TLC) provides one pioneering example of a sample planning document. In 2013, TLC released a sample trans-focused advanced health care directive to ensure respect of a transgender person’s gender identity and expression in the event of incapacity or death (see Appendix I). Worksheets that get seniors started in the process of identifying their last wishes are also valuable sample resources – see an example of one such worksheet in Appendix J. The following recommendations will create a structure for LGBT olders adults to access lifeplanning services and documents. Recommendation 13.1 DAAS should partner with local community-based nonprofit organizations to expand or establish legal clinics to provide low-cost or pro bono life planning/estate planning assistance for low- and moderate-income LGBT seniors. Recommendation 13.2 DAAS and DPH should implement referral protocols for connecting low- and moderateincome LGBT seniors who access existing social services and wellness programs to free and low-cost life planning services and resources. This effort should include training for direct-service city staff and contractors on the value of life planning/estate planning services. Recommendation 13.3 The city should work with local community-based advocacy organizations and private attorneys to ensure that strong sample documents are collected and/or developed and made readily available to LGBT seniors. The city should help ensure that these materials are incorporated into a web-based resource and that LGBT seniors receive education about available self-help and low-cost resources.
LGBT Aging at the Golden Gate: San Francisco Policy Issues and Recommendations (March 2014)
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