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SAGE Gets $900K for LGBT Elders


Seniors x390 (Photos.com) | Advocate.com

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a three-year, $900,000 grant to Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders (SAGE) to create the first national resource center on LGBT aging.

According to a news release from SAGE, the grant from HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the Administration on Aging will be used to fund the National Technical Assistance Resource Center for LGBT elders, which “will assist communities across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older LGBT people. The Resource Center will provide training to aging service providers and LGBT agencies nationwide, and will offer critically important educational tools to LGBT older people.”

The resource center, which was announced with preliminary details in October, attests to the Obama administration's commitment to the vulnerable population of LGBT elders, according to the news release.

“AoA frequently turns to national organizations to support the Aging Network in their efforts to work with specific minority populations that are traditionally underserved,” said Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee. “In the past, AoA has funded national organizations to provide technical assistance on providing supports and services to African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and Native Americans. With the full support of the current administration, we now recognize that LGBT older adults also represent a community with unique
needs that must be addressed.”

According to HHS, as many as 1.5 million to 4 million LGBT individuals are age 60 and older, and many agencies that serve elders may be unfamiliar with their specific needs.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Dan
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 11:39:08 PM
    Hometown: seattle

    Comment:

    Less than one million for the whole country. But, Gee, thanks.

  • Name: Susan Gabriel
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 3:17:02 PM
    Hometown: Pisgah Forest

    Comment:

    SAGE is wonderful. The money and support is not enough for the elders in the LGBT community, but at least it's a start. Susan Gabriel author of Seeking Sara Summers a novel about coming out later in life

  • Name: Roy
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 2:37:47 PM
    Hometown: sheboygan Wisconsin

    Comment:

    So how much of that money will seniors get? I think while many gay seniors can hardly eat let alone pay there bills. I am not sure if a nice building with lots of phones and Nice people to tell them to try someone else for help is a good thing. If they keep there costs down and really give something that the seniors could use like money. Then is a great program. If they raise money for the seniors then it is a good Ideal. I am just sick of hearing sorry can not help and here is a list of homeless shelters which I would not take my dog to. And they really do not need a nother place to place cards. Where all in this together ..Peace

  • Name: Lari
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 1:38:03 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    While I understand the need for training, understanding and research revolving around caring for elder GLBT folks, I think its a mistake to think the only form of that is exclusive facilities for "us". It may be difficult to find an accepting place in some areas and these homes and facilities need to be educated and made to serve the entire population, not just straight people. If we focus our attention on GLBT-only facilities, I'm afraid we will end up with a large percentage of GLBT elders in inadequate and un-welcoming facilities, because there is not a GLBT focused facility in their area or price-range, or simply not enough spaces. Rather, if we focus on making ALL facilities welcoming and understanding of our needs, we will better serve our aging population. Compassion is a good thing for anyone to learn, regardless of who they're serving. I'm glad to see people are beginning to consider this problem, and throw some money at it. Lets see how that money is spent...

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 1:11:19 PM
    Hometown: Wappingers Falls

    Comment:

    What we need is senior, assisted living, and nursing home residences all over the country for gay/lesbian seniors so we can be treated with dignity and share a living space with our spouses when we get older.



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