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.
From The Blog
Featured Post
The Golden Years of Indian Immigrants in America
Aging with Dignity
Dec 21, 2022
Dek: “Over 300,000 Indian seniors long for their cultural roots in their sunset years. Will they find them in a changing America? Here is a look at the varied retirement living arrangements chosen by Indian-American seniors.”
They left their homeland in India in their 20s an…
Recent Posts
Healthy Aging Month 2025: Reinvention Is Impossible Without a Strong Safety Net
September marks Healthy Aging Month, a reminder that it’s “Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself.” It’s a theme meant to inspire older adults to embrace new possibilities—learning a skill, returning to the workforce, or building stronger social and community…
Beyond “Senior Citizens Day”: Honoring Older Adults, Confronting Ageism
Honoring the Strength of Older Adults On National Senior Citizens Day, August 21st, 2025, we celebrate the countless contributions, resilience and wisdom of older adults in our communities. From raising families to building movements for justice, older adults have…
Disability Pride Month & 35 Years of the ADA: Protecting Rights in Peril
This collaborative blog between the Diverse Elders Coalition and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) was developed in recognition of Disability Pride Month and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Prior to July 26,…
Reconciliation Bill Becomes Law – Putting Care, Coverage, and Communities at Risk
The budget reconciliation bill passed by Republicans in Congress and signed into law on July 4th will create deeply harmful impacts to the diverse older adults and caregivers represented by the Diverse Elders Coalition. As outlined in our Medicaid and SNAP factsheets,…
2025 Age+Action Recap
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
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…
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!