GSE, SAGE and senior care community expo at West Orange facility
Seniors are one of the most marginalized groups in our culture. And LGBT seniors are the most vulnerable when it comes to health care services and safe and welcoming housing. Green Hill Senior Living was the first community in New Jersey to earn Sagecare certification in LGBT cultural competency. With a commitment to serving LGBT older adults with affirming and welcoming housing and care.
Green Hill sought to implement best practices in the field in its community. No applicable best practices were found for senior living communities. As a result, Green Hill established the LGBT Senior Housing and Care program to collaborate with senior care industry leaders and LGBT community stakeholders to create a model of best practice in long-term care housing and services for LGBT seniors.
The LGBT Senior Housing and Care working group includes Garden State Equality, Hudson Pride, Hyssop Housing, Sage NJ and USA, and Leading Age. An organizational roundtable was held, a needs assessment survey implemented, and the first LGBT Senior Housing and Care Expo was held in 2018.
The working group has developed a series of practical applications for senior living communities including resident and family cultural competency training, welcoming signage, affirming forms and applications, LGBT activities and services. Green Hill Senior Living is the test community for these programs.
The 2nd annual LGBT Senior Housing and Care Expo will be held at Green Hill in West Orange, NJ, on Sunday May 19th from 10am-4pm. The event is free and geared to the LGBT community and its allies, healthcare, senior care and senior living professionals. Lunch is provided with pre-registration.
Sessions will include: Making the Case for LGBT Senior Inclusion, Healthcare Needs and Partnerships, Environment and Culture for a LGBT Senior Community, and Legislative Update with Garden State Equality.
