The SAGE Caregiver Program
The SAGE Caregiver Program provides LGBT caregivers services including individual counseling, support groups, benefits/ entitlements assistance, and respite services.
Organization:
Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)
SAGE provides a range of social services and advocacy to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) elders.
Location:
New York City, NY
How does it work?
Social workers provide caregiver support, as well as senior case assistance. Services are specifically tailored to LGBTQ+ caregivers, with the idea that LGBTQ+ families can include biologically-related individuals, but also life partners, ex-partners, neighbors and friends. As members of these “families of choice” age, LGBTQ+ individuals often take on caregiving responsibilities above and beyond what is typical outside the LGBTQ+ context. The Caregiver Program also incorporates a trained pool of Friendly Visiting volunteers who provide weekly caregiving to those who have no caregivers of their own.
Why is it successful?
As the only LGBTQ+-focused program of its kind in New York City, SAGE provides supportive services and individual and group counseling to over 210 individual caregivers and their care recipients citywide. SAGE has worked to reach out to LGBTQ+ caregivers, understanding that many of them may not identify as “caregivers,” but nonetheless would benefit from the caregiver services they offer.
NOTE: SAGE provides technical assistance to organizations setting up LGBTQ+ caregiver programs.
For more information: https://www.sageusa.org/