An initiative to improve the quality of care for LGBT older adults in Rhode Island has been made possible by a grant to SAGE/Rhode Island from the Rhode Island Foundation through the Equity Action Fund.  Recognizing that LGBT elders comprise a distinctly disadvantaged population, a series of workshops will be offered to convey knowledge and best practice skills for meeting the needs of this growing but often invisible and underserved minority.

These workshops will enable participants to:

• Describe the culture, needs and concerns of LGBT older adults
• Discuss why LGBT older adults are least likely to access health and social services
• Explain the connection between minority stress and health disparities
• Identify best practices for creating an inclusive and welcoming environment
• Obtain educational tools and resources to better serve those who currently access or are in need of services

A two-part series of three workshops will provide knowledge and best practice skills to build cultural competence.  Each workshop is focused toward a specific setting, hospitals, long term care or assisted living facilities and community-based agencies.  The first series will be offered by a SAGE/Care trainer employing resources developed by SAGE/USA and the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging.  The follow up workshop will be held in April to explore in more depth relevant topics and ways of improving practice skills. The schedule for the first sections is as follows:

• November 13,2019 – Hospital and Primary Care
• November 20,2019 – Long Term Care & Assisted Living
• December 04,2019 – Community-based Agencies

Participants who complete the workshop series receive a certificate of completion. Applications are being submitted for CEU’s in nursing, social work, assisted living and long term care facility administration.  Resource material will enable interested participants to become designated LGBT resource staff for their settings.  Health care, social service and community-based senior service staff are welcome to attend.  All sessions are open but participants may choose one most relevant to their work setting.  The workshop fee of $35 and CEU credits apply separately to part 1 and part 2 of the workshop series.  There is a capacity limit of 40 people per session.

For further information please email SAGE-RI at sageriinfo@gmail.com