Caregiving takes many forms. Whether it’s escorting someone to the doctor or making sure paperwork is all in order, providing support for a loved one can sometimes feel overwhelming. LGBT individuals may face even greater challenges due to a lack of resources in the community, as well as laws and policies that put biological families first.
The new LGBT Health Center at Chase Brexton helps overcome these barriers. Services for the elderly is one focus. The center is partnering with Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) to replicate SAGE’s successful Caring And Preparing (CAP) program, which links LGBT caregivers with supportive resources. Under direction of the SAGECAP program manager, an outreach counselor is available as a liaison for promoting, enrolling, and counseling participants in the CAP Program. The outreach counselor will also provide individual and group support services to care partners participating in the program. Financial, legal, and medical assistance along with education and training will also be available.
Support for caregivers is another focus. Those providing support for a loved one need their own support system. If you’re providing care for a loved one, and either you or the person you care for identifies as LGBT, SAGECAP is here for you.
On the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon there’s a caregiver support group meeting at the LGBT Health Resource Center Conference Room, Chase Brexton Health Care (1111 North Charles Street, 2nd floor). Facilitated by SAGECAP staff, this group provides an opportunity to find support and understanding, while meeting other caregivers in the community.
Another good informational service is the Lunch and Learn Workshops every second Thursday noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Chase Brexton Health Care Large Community Room (1111 North Charles Street, first floor).
On Thursday, December 10th, there’s “Coping with the Holidays: Stress Management Tips for LGBT Older Adults and Caregivers.”
Whether money is tight, relationships with family or friends have been strained or broken throughout the years, or you are mourning the loss of a loved one, this workshop will provide stress management tips and suggestions for having a healthy holiday season.
For more information on the SAGECAP program, contact program manager Bethany Henderson at 410-837-2050 x1216 or e-mail bhenderson@chasebrexton.org .
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