July 1, 2022 | Aging Life Care, LGBTQ+
Windward Life Care is celebrating Pride Month by obtaining Silver Level certification with SAGECare for the third year in a row. This ongoing staff training continues to enhance Windward’s ability to support the needs of the country’s aging LGBT community.
“LGBT older adults are an underserved population. Many people do not have family to support them or advocate for them as they age or cope with chronic physical or mental health issues,” said Susan Valoff, LCSW, C-ASWCM, Vice President of Windward Life Care. “Our SAGECare certification demonstrates Windward’s commitment to personalized, respectful, and compassionate care for our LGBT clients, their caregivers, and referring professionals.”
As a division of SAGE — the country’s largest nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults — SAGECare provides LGBT competency training and consulting on LGBT aging issues to for-profit companies, non-profits, and governmental agencies. SAGECare partners with service providers to prepare a compassionate, LGBT-competent staff to address the needs of a rapidly expanding aging population. There are up to 4 million older Americans who identify as LGBT, and that number is expected to double by 2030.
LGBT older adults face a number of barriers in receiving healthcare services, a fact that contributes to their experiencing some health and mental health problems at a higher rate. LGBT older adults are less likely to seek formal supports due to past discrimination or abuse. Surveys report that older LGBT adults fear they will face harassment or unequal services in long-term care. It is thus critical that home care workers be professionally trained to work with clients who are LGBT so they feel comfortable and valued.
To earn SAGECare’s Silver Level certification, 40% of Windward’s team was trained to work with LGBT older adults. The training included the basics of what LGBT means, stories of LGBT older adults and how their lives have intersected with changes in societal views of LGBT people, and skills to work supportively with LGBT older adults and their caregivers.
“Earning our Silver Credential for the third year shows Windward Life Care’s commitment to treating its LGBTQ+ clients with dignity and respect,” said Nicholas Watson, Managing Director of Social Enterprise for SAGE. “Potential clients will also know that Windward is committed to offering culturally competent care to everyone.”
Locally owned and operated, Windward Life Care has served San Diego County’s older and disabled adults since 2004. Windward has grown to become one of the region’s most distinguished aging services providers and in 2019, 2020, and 2021 was awarded a Top Workplaces distinction by The San Diego Union-Tribune. Windward clients can access a continuum of care to meet their needs as they change over time, including geriatric care management; in-home caregiving services; and private nursing services.
About Windward Life Care
As members of the Aging Life Care Association®, Windward Life Care’s care managers specialize in dementia care, complex family situations, mental health issues, healthcare advocacy, and helping clients age well with a sense of purpose. Windward’s team of professional Home Care Aides assists clients with daily activities including meal preparation, transportation, and help with bathing and dressing. Windward’s discerning recruitment and rigorous training of professional caregivers sets it apart from other home care providers Windward Life Care’s licensed home health subsidiary, Windward Home Health, provides medication management, injections, wound care, and other skilled nursing services.
Aging Life Care™ is a trademark of the Aging Life Care Association®. Only ALCA members are authorized to use this term to identify their services.
About SAGE
SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers. For more information about SAGECare training, visit sageusa.care.