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

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

Access to Services

By: Diverse Elders

May 08, 2025

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 conference remained strong, with meaningful conversations and deep engagement continuing throughou…

Dual identity

Advancing Equity, Aging with Dignity, Community Supports, Cultural & Linguistic Adaptation, History, Individual Stories, Language Access, POC Communities, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

By Katrina Dizon Mariategue. This article originally appeared on SEARAC’s blog. As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, I reflect deeply on what it means to be both Asian and American. I identify as 1.5 generation immigrant from the Philippines….

Family-style meals and a community-centered movement

Advancing Equity, Aging and Ageism, Caregiving, Civic Engagement, Community Supports, Cultural & Linguistic Adaptation, Cultural Adaptation, DEC, Diverse Communities, History, Individual Stories, Justice, POC Communities, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

By Jazmin Garett. This article originally appeared on the SEARAC blog. I’m sitting around the floor mat surrounded by my mother, grandmother, aunties, uncles, and cousins. I scan the spread laid out in front of me and I determine that a pork rib and a ball of sticky…

I remember that Hmong means free

Advancing Equity, Aging and Ageism, DEC, Diverse Communities, Diverse Elders Coalition Stories, History, Individual Stories, POC Communities, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

By Kham Moua. This article originally appeared on SEARAC’s blog. The night was filled with the heat of a blazing fire and the sight of countless sparks of paper swirling in the air. The darkness slowly faded into the first light of dawn, marking the final evening of…

Sharing joy and tradition as kon Khmer

Advancing Equity, Aging and Ageism, Caregiving, DEC, Diverse Elders Coalition Stories, History, Individual Stories, POC Communities, Policy and Advocacy Issues, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

By Nary Rath. This article originally appeared on SEARAC’s blog. It’s a frigid day, the air is dry, and snow is falling like pillowy stardust piling high on the streets of my small town in Connecticut. There is something always so peaceful to me about the silence that…

The Diverse Elders Coalition Takes on ASA On Aging Conference

Diverse Communities

The Diverse Elders Coalition and its members’ organizations were well represented at this year’s Americans Society on Aging On Aging conference, making it the perfect opportunity to reunite with one another! For many of us, it was our first time meeting! The Diverse…

The importance of clinical research in diverse communities

Access to Services, Advancing Equity, Aging and Ageism, Caregiving, Caregiving, Data Collection / Research, Diverse Communities, Elder Health, Health Reform, Individual Stories, Language Access, Policy and Advocacy Issues

One of the biggest obstacles in achieving health equity for diverse populations is the lack of diversity in clinical research. Although gender equity advancements have been made through the inclusion of white women, clinical research lacks diversity, with minimal…

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!