In San Diego, the LGBT Community Center is preparing for it's first annual Senior Resource Fair. The event is "This first-time event aims to bring the LGBT community together for a full day focused on wellness for those 50 and Better," said Claudia Lucero, coordinator of The Center's Senior Services.

"We're thrilled to provide this opportunity for LGBT men and women to attend a variety of fun and educational workshops on a wide range of topics, including healthy gourmet cooking, music, computers, ballroom dance, art, humor and positive outlook, medical empowerment, coping with loss, substance abuse, legal and financial planning, relationships and intimacy after 50 and more"

As the baby-boom generation moves into their senior years, programs like this are likely to be in high demand. Across the country, community centers are creating new programs or building on existing ones to address the unique issues LGBT Seniors face.

A recent survey published in the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network newsletter documents a wide variety of programs for LGBT Seniors at LGBT Community Centers. Programs include exercise and fitness programs, caregiver support groups, museum and theater groups, dances, community service projects, day trips, hot meals, art classes as well as education and counseling on Medicare, legal issues, retirement and health insurance.

The survey, which looked at community centers in 21 of the 30 largest U.S. cities, found 10 of these centers offering programs for LGBT Centers. These cities include Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Francisco. Catherine F. Croghan, a geriatric community health and safety advocate, conducted the survey.

Suprisingly, several community centers design their senior programs for individuals as young as 45. Claudia Lucero says, however, that not all LGBT Seniors participate in senior-specific programs: "We serve a variety of seniors, the trend seems to be that those 65 and over participate although our program is open to those over 50. Folks under 65 tend to participate in other Center programs, rather than senior-specific programming."

The Center San Diego offers a variety of programs for LGBT Seniors, but Lucero states that the most popular include: "Our counseling services, our gentle yoga classes, social opportunities such as dinners and mixers as well as health referrals."

The Center in Orange County reports similar interests. Perry Wiggins, Senior Services Manager at The Center Orange County reports "We offer social opportunities, educational seminars, and referral sources. I would say that the response is pretty evenly spread over those three services. With additional funding, we'd like to expand our services to include case management and a phone friend/friendly visitor program."

According to the National Institutes of Health, The United States population aged 65 and over is expected to double in size within the next 25 years. By 2030, almost 1 out of every 5 Americans -- some 72 million people -- will be 65 years or older. The age group 85 and older is now the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.