The LGBT Elders Conference will focus on older adults and their caregivers
SALEM, Mass.—The sixth annual LGBT Elders in an Ever Changing World conference is being held on March 17, 2017 at Salem State University and is sponsored by The LGBT Aging Project, North Shore Elder Services, Salem State University’s School of Social Work, CareDimensions, and AARP Massachusetts.
This interdisciplinary conference is a day-long event focusing on issues of older persons and caregivers who are LGBT. Each of the first five conferences drew over 200 social service and health care professionals, including students and older adults themselves, interested in the subject of LGBT aging and service needs. Previous conferences received overwhelmingly positive responses echoed in many evaluations and anecdotes.
The plenary session features remarks by Kate Rohr. Kate is an orthopedic physician and transgender woman who came out at the age of sixty-seven years. She had gender affirmation surgery at age seventy with the support of her wife, Linda. Their story has been featured in the _Washington Post_ and National Geographic’s recent “Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric.” Seventeen workshops will cover diverse topics including transgender aging, practice skills, caregiving tools, disparities, public policy, advocacy, and more. Presenters are from throughout New England, New York, Texas, India, and Australia.
“It is exciting to see this ground-breaking conference to be held once again at Salem State University” noted Cheryl Springer, Professor, School of Social Work, Salem State University. “I know that social work and health care professionals as well as students will gain from a truly interdisciplinary learning experience that sheds light on the challenges facing LGBT elders and highlights the caring capacity of the LGBT community.”
“The Elder LGBT Conference is a unique event bringing together human service workers, as well as LGBT elders themselves, with academic experts who have researched the issues of LGBT older adults and caregivers,” sai Paul Lanzikos, Executive Director, Danvers-based North Shore Elder Services. “Our participation is a direct result of our work over the past years with The LGBT Aging Project in Boston involving outreach and programming for LGBT seniors and caregivers on the North Shore and throughout the metropolitan Boston area.”
“We are thrilled to partner with North Shore Elder Services, Salem State University, CareDimensions, and AARP Massachusetts to present such a comprehensive view of so many aspects of growing older in the LGBT community” stated Lisa Krinsky, Director, The Fenway Institute’s LGBT Aging Project. “This is the sixth annual convening, which increases both knowledge about and resources for LGBT older adults and caregivers.”
The organizers are dedicated to presentations that integrate content pertinent to cultural competency, disabilities and creative programming, as well as direct and interdisciplinary practice with LGBT elders. CEUs are available for social work, case managers, and nurses. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. It will be held at Salem State University at the Marsh Conference Center (Central Campus) at 70 Loring Avenue, Salem, Mass. The cost, which includes breakfast, lunch and reception is $125, includes social work, case management, or nursing 4.5. CEUs Seniors (60+) and students with current student ID: $50 (no CEUs). Register online at https://goo.gl/1RDhMC. For more information, contact 978-406-4596 or lgbtelders2017@gmail.com.
[From a News Release]
