REPORT FROM SAGE/RI by Cathy Gorman, SAGE-RI Steering Committee
W
hen April’s SAGE-RI’s report was SAGE-RI’s “Promoting Quality of Care LGBT older adults in need of health care published, it seemed possible for LGBT Older Adults: Issues and and housing services is more critical now normal programming might resume Strategies” workshops are scheduled for than ever, given our growing LGBT older within a few months. Now, so many Wednesday mornings, October 28 and population and the current COVID-19 months later, reliable public health experts November 4, 8:30-10:00am via Zoom. crisis. predict another six months of vigilance This two-part program will complete and restrictions. This is especially true for the series aimed at developing LGBTQ This momentum is promising, and we older adults and those with pre-existing cultural competence among Rhode would love to engage more community conditions at higher risk of adverse Island’s health care, social service, and members in this effort. In response, we outcomes from COVID-19. This spring senior service providers, and builds on are conducting a SAGE-RI Membership SAGE-RI was in the process of rolling out recommendations from the National Drive this fall! We are asking for a show a number of in-person events: statewide Resource Center on LGBT Aging. The of support from our LGBT community. meetings, intergenerational activities focus of the October 28 workshop is on SAGE-RI has successfully raised its visibility within the LGBT community with YPI, and an LGBT History and with key organizations and Improving the experience of LGBT older walking tour in cooperation adults in need of health care and housing committees within the senior service with the Providence Public services is more critical now than ever, given network. SAGE-RI volunteers now Library. Instead the temporary our growing LGBT older population and the represent older adult LGBT issues halt led to the discontinuance in many different settings. Dedicated current COVID-19 crisis. of in-person programming for SAGE-RI Steering Committee the remainder of this year, and members have been engaged in an a pivot to conference calls and virtual access to quality health care, as well as programming through Zoom. care planning issues, while the November organizational assessment, reviewing 4 workshop will address minority stress policies and procedures, exploring The monthly LGBT Café now meets at and health care disparities, and resources mission and purpose, looking at ways noon every Thursday as the SAGE-RI for working with both transgender older to improve communication, and putting Zoom Café and recently hosted the virtual adults and those living with HIV. Staff and structures in place to ensure efficiency “Lunch and Learn” series addressing key providers involved with these issues, as and accountability. We need to do a topics of concern to LGBT older adults. well as interested community members, better job of engaging members and Also, focus groups supported by the Tufts are invited to register at Eventbrite.com. volunteers, to both help imagine the Health Plan Foundation Momentum Fund (Search for: Promoting Quality of Care future, and to ensure our sustainability were held by conference call.The themes for LGBT Older Adults.) For more info over time. You can help us achieve identified by each group contributed to or for group rates, email sageriinfo@ this by renewing membership or by an understanding of major issues facing gmail.com. becoming a new member at www.sageLGBT seniors, and recommendations for ri.org or through the SAGE/Rhode Island improving access to essential information SAGE-RI training initiatives have been Facebook page. and services. A final report will be made possible by the RI Foundation available later this year.The next step is to Equity Action Fund which provides Reach us at sageriinfo@gmail.com, or leave consult with senior service providers to support toward the development of a message at 406-1714. We welcome help them create more LGBT-welcoming curriculum, resource material, and training questions, feedback, and all contributions settings, and to explore the possibility of for long term care and assisted living toward building a strong advocacy LGBT-focused programming and services. facility staff. Improving the experience of organization for LGBT seniors.
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Oct/Nov 2020
