SAGE

Salt Lake County Aging Services is teaming up with SAGE Utah. SAGE is an organization that works with the 50+ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer population. SAGE stands for Services and Advocacy for the Gay Elderly. We, at Aging Services, are finding that the LGBTQ population is under represented and unaccounted for in the Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities throughout Salt Lake County.

Gayle was a lesbian who lived in a nursing home and had been diagnosed with the beginning stages of dementia. When Gayle first moved to a LTC facility, she socially isolated herself in fear of being "found out". Gayle had no friends or family and was completely alone. As she bacame more confused, she started losing sexual inhibitions. Gayle started to flirt with the other female CNA's and it was then that her "secret" was out. The staff began to make fun of Gayle and ultimately would not help her. Gayle, heavy hearted and depressed, retreated into isolation for the remaining days of her life.

It is very common for an openly gay person to go into the "closet" when they move into a LTC facility. Many LTC facilities have the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. LGBTQ long-term care residents are under represented and need a voice. We are developing this partnership with SAGE to help find that voice.