A haven for unique challenges of aging LGBTQ+ individuals – The Victorian at Riverside finds its voice

“We are kind.”

For many senior and assisted living facilities, that’s an added bonus. For The Victorian at Riverside, it’s a guiding philosophy that underscores all they do for their residents.

It’s a philosophy that has served the Covington center well: It’s been serving the community for 138 years. Now, the VAR has entered a new chapter in its long tradition – one built on a new, inclusive focus and housed in a new facility.

Founded in 1886 as the Home for Aged or Indigent Women, the VAR’s mission has always been to help the underserved, and the need has never been greater. As the baby boom generation reaches retirement age, the population of older Americans already is the highest in history – about 58 million in 2022, according to the Population Reference Bureau. That number will surge an estimated 47%, to a projected 82 million, by 2050.

Within that growing number, there already are an estimated 3 million LGBTQ+ Americans over age 50. That number is expected to rise to around 7 million by 2030.

In 2023, the VAR’s board made a conscious effort to reach out to this community and address the unique challenges older LGBTQ+ people can face. The nonprofit committed to make The Victorian at Riverside a welcoming, inclusive home for all.

“LGBTQ+ people feel uncomfortable moving into other senior communities,” said Carrie VanDerZee, the VAR’s CEO, “especially in a lot of the faith-based facilities. You’re not as free to be yourself. There’s also a reluctance to seek services due to past discrimination.”

Studies show that a third of LGBTQ+ seniors report being worried about having to hide their identity to secure housing for older people. Significantly, 88% said they would feel more comfortable with long-term care services if they knew staff had been specifically trained about the needs of LGBTQ+ residents.

There are other challenges unique to the community, too. “About 75% of LGBTQ+ older adults are concerned where they’re going to be,” said VanDerZee. “They often don’t have the spouse partner, they don’t have the children. They have to navigate this on their own.

“It’s a vastly underserved group,” she said.

Eight years after Covington philanthropist Ellen Battelle Dietrick opened her personal home to women displaced by a disastrous flood, the Home for Aged or Indigent Women in 1894 opened a grand, new facility to serve its residents. After more than 125 years, though, the VAR had outgrown its longtime home at Seventh and Garrard streets. Faced with the high costs of renovating a 19th-century building, the board decided instead to add a new wing on the original structure’s south side.

That $6 million, 19,000-square-foot facility opened in 2021. The new wing features 40 private rooms with en suite bathrooms and independent climate control. There are new amenities, too, including restaurant-style dining, a 24-hour care team, medication assistance, a movie-style theater, an on-site salon, a spa and whirlpool facility, an accessible enclosed courtyard and a well-equipped activity room.

“We moved everyone to the new wing in one day,” VanDerZee said. “They went from the 19th to the 21st century. We’re proud to offer more space for additional residents to enjoy a high quality of life and maintain a sense of independence.”

The new wing was built with the idea of community in mind. “There are intentionally no kitchenettes,” she said. “We have a beautiful dining room with chef-cooked meals every day. We want people out of their rooms being social. That’s also one of the best ways to check people’s health – by monitoring their eating.”

There was another big change that came with the new wing. After more than a century of being known to the area as the Covington Ladies Home, the VAR now welcomes men, too. “We were committed to being inclusive,” VanDerZee said, “and we thought we can’t really be inclusive if we’re leaving half of people out!”

Best of all, the new construction didn’t touch the VAR’s greatest asset, its location in the heart of the historic Licking Riverside residential neighborhood. “We want to make residents feel like they’re part of a neighborhood, part of a life, instead of being shut up in an old folk’s home,” said VanDerZee.

Residents also know they have a home for as long as they need. “We don’t force residents out if their funds are exhausted,” she said. “We’ll find a way for them to stay.”

The rooms cost $3,750 per month, and a few rooms are now available. To find out whether The Victorian at Riverside might be the right fit for you or a loved one, call VanDerZee at 859-431-6913 or stop by during business hours for a tour. “Come any time,” she said. “We have gotten some ‘gotcha’ tours where people think they might catch a facility unprepared, but they were always really impressed. We’re always ready to show.”

The VAR used the bulk of its endowment to fund the expansion, so it’s relying heavily on donors and grants. Contact VanDerZee to learn about giving opportunities, including naming possibilities.

With the old building vacant, the VAR’s board had the opportunity to reimagine the historic structure. It’s collaborating with Ashley Builders, New Republic Architects (lots of OTR work) and A. Maris Design to transform the older structure into 14 market-rate apartments. “We want to create a fine residence-hotel living experience,” VanDerZee said.

The new units will come with amenities like concierge service and common spaces, including an event room.

The center is actively seeking a development partner to bring this vision to fruition. Again, contact VanDerZee to learn more.

Making the VAR’s residents feel included in the community involves more than physical facilities. The center maintains a regular schedule of events for residents to enjoy. They include bringing speakers and performers to the center and outings. They’re chosen with residents’ input, and some are a little surprising.

“We asked our residents’ council for suggestions, and everyone wanted to go thrifting!” VanDerZee said. “So we took them to St. Vincent de Paul, and they had a great time and brought home just bags of stuff.”

Other recent outings have included a BB Riverboats cruise on the Ohio and trips to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park near Hamilton, Ohio, and to performances at Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts.

VanDerZee is excited about two events scheduled soon. Both are free and open to the general public.

Sept. 14, 2 p.m. Evans Mirageas, artistic director of Cincinnati Opera, will speak about LGBTQ+ themes in operas and musicals. Singers from the company will perform. Attendees also can learn about the VAR’s LGBTQ+ initiatives, tour the facility and see a preview of plans for the historic wing. Reserve your spot at https://pp.events/aadVd7Vx.
Oct. 19, 2 p.m. The VAR offers a special exhibition in honor of AIDS awareness. The center hosts the touring Quilt of Life and Health exhibit, including a section of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Local quilters also will show their work.

The Victorian At Riverside