SAGECare LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training

at Senior Living Residences

Senior Living Residences is always working to provide the best possible quality of life for residents at each community, and SAGECare’s LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency training program helps us stay true to that promise.

Why is LGBTQ+ Training Important?

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 our LGBTQ+ training program aims to teach. We began offering this specialized training to associates in 2022, and we aim for a participation rate of at least 80% year over year from both managers and frontline staff.

We recognize 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 our staff insight into what these seniors may have experienced throughout their lifetimes and tips for supporting them.

What is SAGECare?

SAGECare is a division of SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders), the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the aging LGBTQ+ population. The organization holds LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Cultural Competency training and consulting sessions for service providers. SAGECare’s goal is to “expand, transform, and elevate” the stellar care our staff already implements in order to create a supportive environment in which residents can embrace their unique identities. 

Each SLR Community has adopted SAGECare’s staff development and training program which involves 1) an in-depth development program for community leaders that explores the cultures, needs, and concerns of the LGBT older adults, and helps build engagement with the experiences of LGBT staff members, and 2) a training module for all community associates that gives practical, meaningful steps that staff can take to immediately improve the quality of support and services they provide to LGBT older adults, ultimately working toward building inclusive communities.

By making this program part of SLR’s regular training and development program, we strive to build bridges between staff and LGBT residents and families by telling real stories and forming connections on a human level.