Springpoint Earns LGBTQ+ Sagecare Credential as Part of Commitment To Create a More Inclusive Culture
November 11, 2022
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ—Nine Springpoint life plan communities throughout New Jersey and Springpoint Choice recently earned the Platinum SAGECare LGBTQ+ Aging Cultural Competency Credential. Springpoint, the Mid-Atlantic’s leading senior living provider, has always been committed to prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including the support and care of LGBTQ+ older adults. To underscore this commitment, the organization made it a priority to receive formal training to stay relevant and learn how to better connect with and care for the LGBTQ+ aging community.
Last year, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the LGBTQI+ Senior Bill of Rights, establishing specific rights and protections for LGBTQI+ older adults and individuals living with HIV in assisted living and memory care communities, comprehensive personal care homes, residential health care facilities and nursing homes. The law requires facility administrators and staff members to undergo training on caring for LGBTQI+ older adults and those living with HIV, as well as on prevention discrimination based on sexual orientation, status or gender identity. Springpoint’s training and completion of the SAGECare LGBTQ+ Aging Cultural Competency Credential fulfills this state requirement.
SAGECare is a division of SAGE, the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults. As part of the SAGECare training, Springpoint staff members received an overview on the various rights and protections extended to LGBTQ+ older adults. They also reviewed case studies and videos of real individuals, which gave them a better understanding of why some LGBTQ+ older adults may choose not to come out. The SAGECare certification gives Springpoint staff members access to local and national resources that offer best practices for creating communities that welcome LGBTQ+ older adults, their loved ones and their caregivers.
“The law establishes a great baseline for caring for ALL older adults in New Jersey,” said Nic Watson, SAGECare’s managing director. “It’s great to see Springpoint use that as a jumping off point to ensure the entire staff has the training to provide the best possible care for LGBTQ+ older adults—and for everyone!”
Together, Springpoint and SAGECare will continue their partnership to serve people with the best care possible and make each older person feel comfortable with who they are.