Nashoba Park Assisted Living recently gained recognition for achieving the platinum accreditation level for its SAGECare credential.
SAGECare is an organization that provides LGBTQ cultural competency training and consulting to service providers. Earning the Platinum credential through SAGECare signifies that at least 80% of Nashoba Park’s staff have been trained to better understand the cultures, needs and concerns of LGBTQ older adults and to navigate the variety of issues surrounding this population.
SAGECare is a division of SAGE, the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ older adults. The organization’s accreditation process involved an in-person training geared toward Nashoba Park’s team of managers, along with a training module for their front-line associates.
The program educated Nashoba Park associates on a variety of unique issues pertaining to the aging LGBTQ population, including a deeper understanding of why LGBTQ older adults may be reluctant to access much-needed services. Completing this training and certification process is part of the Assisted Living Community’s commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive and accepting environment for all of its residents.
Together, Nashoba Park and SAGECare will continue their partnership to serve people with the best care possible and make each older person feel comfortable with who they are. Upon completion of this credential, Nashoba Park aims to further enhance the quality of life of its LGBTQ community members by ensuring that they feel fully accepted. In following this path, Nashoba Park upholds its mission to maintain the dignity and independence of all its residents, centering on holistic care that considers each unique facet of their identities.
“SAGECare’s training program aligns perfectly with our No. 1 value: resident quality of life,” Nashoba Park’s Executive Director Kimberly Gagnon said. “Ensuring that each resident feels fully accepted in our community is our first priority, and having a deeper understanding of the unique identities of older LGBT adults has really broadened the horizons of all Nashoba Park staff. Now, we are eager to implement what we have learned to maintain our high quality of care.”
It is estimated that there are currently around 3 million LGBTQ older adults in the U.S., and that number is expected to grow to around 7 million by 2030, according to SAGECare. In completing this credential, Nashoba Park aims to further enhance the quality of life of its LGBTQ community members by ensuring that they feel fully accepted for who they are.
To learn more about SAGECare, visit their website.