Older Adults
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Established in 2010 through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging provides training, technical assistance and educational resources to aging providers, LGBT organizations and LGBT older adults. The center is led by Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) in partnership with 10 leading organizations from around the country.
SAGE is the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. SAGE has pioneered programs and services for the aging LGBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for LGBT older people across the country, and provided a national voice on LGBT aging issues. In 2005, SAGE became the first official LGBT delegate at the White House Conference on Aging. In 2010, SAGE was awarded a three-year $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging to seed the creation of the nation's only National Resource Center on LGBT Aging.
Founded in 1954 as the Western Gerontological Society, the American Society on Aging is an association of diverse individuals bound by a common goal: to support the commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families. The membership of ASA is multidisciplinary and inclusive of professionals who are concerned with the physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual aspects of aging.
Like others facing the challenges of aging, LGBT seniors deserve respectful, high quality health and human services. Lavender Seniors provides social support services and a vibrant caring community of LGBT older adults. Our programs foster a sense of belonging for all LGBT older adults particularly those who are isolated, vulnerable, disabled and at risk. We also participate in local, statewide, and national advocacy efforts for the betterment of the LGBT and mainstream older adult community.
We are a national network of old lesbians over age 60 working to confront ageism in our communities and our country. We use education and public discourse as our primary tools.Our national organization is directed by a Steering Committee that works to form and support local groups who will work in their own communities. We hold biennial National Gatherings allowing us to come together to share experiences and ideas and recharge our energies for the tasks at hand. We believe that we have a great deal of wisdom, experience and strength to share with our communities as well as among ourselves. Everyone will have her older life made better by the work we do.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. We are a national voice for older Americans and the community organizations that serve them. We bring together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. We work with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities.