Three Life Care Services managed senior living communities have earned Platinum Certification from SAGECare, the country’s oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Platinum Certification is SAGECare’s highest recognition for senior living communities that have completed training and certification to better serve the needs of LGBT adults.  

Communities with the SAGECare Platinum Certification include:

• Cedars at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill, NC
• Residences at Vantage Point - Columbia, MD
• Broadview at Purchase College - Purchase, NY

SAGECare training covers topics such as LGBT elder health disparities, confidentiality, the need to avoid making assumptions about a client's partnership or marital status, an overview of LGBT history, and the use of gender-appropriate terminology with transgender patients and clients. Platinum certification requires 80% of community staff and management to complete the extensive training program and a cultural competency exam.

“These communities and the others actively pursuing certification, are leading the way to model what it means to be inclusive and supportive for all residents,” said Doug Oliver, LCS Senior Director, Community Experience. “At LCS, we believe that Experience is Everything, and we are committed to ensuring that the experiences of our current and future LBGT residents underscores that commitment.”

In February, LCS leveraged its “Sounding Board” resident research survey to learn how residents felt about diversity and inclusion. Nearly three-quarters of respondents shared that the topic is important to them. Other results showed:  

• 9 out of 10 feel a sense of belonging in their community;
• 8 out of 10 feel all residents are treated equally in their community; and
• 7 out of 10 say differences are welcomed/valued in their community.  

CLICK HERE TO READ THE SAGE FACT SHEET ON LGBT AGING