We advocate for the unique needs of our communities.

Who We Are

Founded in 2010, the Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) advocates for policies and programs that improve aging in our communities as racially and ethnically diverse people; American Indians and Alaska Natives; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) people.

What We Do

As the Diverse Elders Coalition, we produce original policy analysis and resources, speak with policymakers and advocates to highlight the issues of our communities and share solutions, and work to ensure the needs and perspective of diverse elders are at the forefront of national and local conversations on aging.

Our Member Organizations

NAPCA
(National Asian Pacific Center on Aging)
NCBA
(National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc.)
NHCOA
(National Hispanic Council on Aging)
NICOA
(National Indian Council on Aging)
SAGE
(Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders)
SEARAC
(Southeast Asia Resource Action Center)

From The Blog

Diverse Elders Coalition Announces Didier Trinh as New National Director

Advancing Equity

By: Diverse Elders

Sep 25, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C., September 25th, 2024 – The Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC), representing millions of older adults from American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Black, African American, Hispanic, Latinx, and LGBT communities, is proud to announce Didier Trinh as its new National Director. Didier,…

2025 Age+Action Recap

Access to Services, Advancing Equity, Aging with Dignity, Caregiving, Elder Health, Home & Community-Based Services, Justice, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Social Influencers of Health

By Dashel Lewis The DEC was thrilled to attend the 2025 Age+Action Conference, put on yearly by the National Council on Aging. It’s an essential opportunity to holistically collaborate on a range of issues affecting older adults. With the change in leadership at the…

Dashel Lewis Joins DEC to Advance Equitable Aging Policies

Access to Services, Advancing Equity, Aging and Ageism, Civic Engagement, Data Collection / Research, Health Insurance, Health Reform, Older Americans Act, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Public Policy

We’re thrilled to welcome Dashel Lewis as the new Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at the Diverse Elders Coalition. Dashel brings a strong foundation in legislative and policy work that directly aligns with the DEC’s mission to uplift racially and ethnically diverse…

Resilience and Unity at ASA On Aging 2025: A Personal Reflection

Access to Services, Advancing Equity, Aging and Ageism, Civic Engagement, Cultural & Linguistic Adaptation, DEC, Diverse Communities, National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA), National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA), Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE)

Attending the 2025 ASA On Aging Conference in Orlando was both inspiring and grounding. I arrived at the Hyatt Regency on Sunday, April 20 — the atmosphere felt more reflective, with a calmer pace than in past years. While the energy was different, the spirit of the…

Diverse Elders Coalition Calls for Preservation of ACL Amid HHS Restructuring

Access to Services, Advancing Equity, Aging and Ageism, Aging with Dignity, Caregiving, Caregiving, Chronic Illness, Data Collection / Research, Dementia, Diverse Communities, Economic Security, Elder Abuse, Elder Health, End of Life Decisions, Health & Wellness, Health Reform, HIV/AIDS & Aging, Home & Community-Based Services, Justice, Long-Term Care Setting, Mental Health, Mental Health, Older Americans Act, Physical Health, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Public Policy, Security and Economic Stability, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Social Influencers of Health, Social Isolation, Social Security / Retirement

The Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC), a national coalition committed to promoting the health and well-being of racially and ethnically diverse older adults, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and LGBTQ+ elders, is deeply concerned about the Department of Health and…

Women History’s Month: Honoring the Carters – A Legacy of Advocacy for Women and Family Caregivers

Advancing Equity, Caregiving, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Public Policy

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we recognize the trailblazing women who have shaped our history, uplifted communities, and championed causes that continue to impact lives today. It is fitting to reflect on Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady and President Jimmy…

Join the Diverse Elders Coalition: We’re Hiring a Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

Advancing Equity

As we continue our critical work to drive meaningful change for older adults in diverse communities, we are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a Policy & Advocacy Coordinator. About the Role The Policy & Advocacy Coordinator…

Resources for Diverse Aging

The Diverse Elders Coalition offers a variety of multimedia resources, including original research and policy reports, fact sheets, webinars, and more, aimed at ensuring that our diverse communities can age successfully with dignity, greater self-sufficiency and in the best possible health.

Featured Resource

Family Caregiving in Diverse Communities: ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF DIVERSE FAMILY CAREGIVERS FOR OLDER ADULTS

This report is the product of a series of activities conducted by the Diverse Elders Coalition and its members’ organizations, and in partnership with the National Alliance for Caregiving, to better understand and highlight the lived experiences of diverse family caregivers for older adults.

Click Here to Read the 1-Page Caregiver FactSheet: DEC Caregiving Factsheet Final

Click Here to Read the Full Report: DEC Caregiving Report Final

Curious about other resources DEC has to offer?

Visit our Resources for Aging page to discover more!