The team at Farmington Station Senior Living, an Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support Community, recently celebrated a special achievement. 100% of their associates completed specialized training that gave them insight into caring for LGBTQ+ older adults.
LGBTQ+ seniors have unique life experiences and concerns that have resulted in physical and mental health disparities, and it’s important that the professionals who care for this population are aware of the particular challenges they face. That’s exactly what SAGECare’s LGBTQ Cultural Competency Credential program aims to teach. Farmington Station began offering this specialized training to associates in 2022, and they’ve seen a participation rate of at least 80% year over year from both managers and frontline staff.
Farmington Station’s Executive Director, Lindsay Miller, shares why this year’s achievement is special: “SAGECare is an optional training program we offer that empowers our staff to confidently care for the seniors who choose to live with us. The fact that 100% of our associates came together, completed this training, and are dedicated to making this community a true home to our 120 residents is so heartening.”
Miller organized a special ceremony to congratulate and show appreciation for her staff, where they received a certificate and custom t-shirt that reads “100% certified in LGBTQ+ support, because our residents deserve it.”
The team at Farmington Station recognizes that LGBTQ+ seniors may be hesitant to move to an assisted living community, for fear of facing prejudice, judgment or bullying. Going through specialized training has given them insight into what these seniors may have experienced throughout their lifetimes and tips for supporting them. “Knowing that our team members are better equipped than most of our competitors to accommodate residents’ unique needs and experiences is really comforting to me, and I know it means a lot to the families we work with,” shared Miller.
According to SAGECare’s website, Farmington Station is one of only four Assisted Living communities in Connecticut that have chosen to offer this specialized staff training program.