Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services
Offers In-Community Support to LGBTQ+ Seniors
SAN
FRANCISCO, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During the
month of PRIDE, On Lok recognizes the impact LGBTQ+ individuals
have had on history, locally and around the world, and proudly
supports the rights of the community to age with dignity. On Lok
teams have participated and volunteered with Openhouse to
support various PRIDE activities throughout the month, including
the upcoming San Francisco Pride Parade on June 26, where On Lok staff will be walking the
parade route.
Since 2018, On Lok has partnered with Openhouse, joining forces
to create Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services (Community
Day), a safe and life-affirming space for LGTBQ+ seniors to
maintain independence while receiving culturally sensitive and
compassionate care.
"Community Day is a multifaceted program designed with and for
the community, bringing much-needed services to San Francisco's growing LGBTQ+ population,"
said John Blazek, Executive
Director, Day Services, On Lok. "It is a program that has been
years in the making, bringing together the connection between
Openhouse and the LGBTQ+ older adult community, with On Lok's deep
roots in community-based senior care and support."
Community Day officially opened its doors in December 2021 and provides social connection and
fun LGBTQ+-themed activities, in a state-of-the-art center full of
natural light and community pride. Additionally, staff help seniors
with personal care reminders and coordinate services, as well as
provide transportation to and from the program, as needed, and hot
midday meals, snacks, and refreshments are provided daily. "We
envisioned a space where community members engage in activities,
eat a hot meal together, and then go home, back to their partners
and families, and Community Day is achieving that vision," added
Blazek.
LGTBQ+ seniors face loneliness and isolation due to lack of
community and health support and financial insecurity, and fear
discrimination and mistreatment in institutionalized settings.
According to a 2011 study published by the National Senior Citizens
Law Center, 78% felt it would be unsafe for an LGBTQ+ senior to be
"out" in a care facility and 80% believed staff and other residents
would discriminate against an LGBTQ+ elder who was out of the
closet. While 43% reported personally witnessing or knowing
individuals who experienced instances of mistreatment.
Aging can be a vulnerable experience. As LGBTQ+ persons age,
they don't want to feel as if they need to hide who they are or
their life experiences. Staff members at Community Day have
first-hand experience of the challenges and adversities in
navigating medical care and other services, either for or as, an
LGBTQ+ person. "The Community Day staff are eager to serve the
older members of our LGBTQ+ community. It's a rare opportunity to
become the figurative children that can provide respite to our
elders' partners and loved ones, who are often neglected by the
system," said Ephraim Getahun,
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Training, Openhouse.
As part of its commitment to reduce barriers to healthcare
access across vulnerable populations, On Lok has been pursuing
certification for Community Day to become an alternative care
setting (ACS) for its On Lok PACE program. In May, Community Day
received this certification. Alternative care settings are a
physical facility, other than the participant's place of residence,
where PACE participants can receive some required services, such as
activities, meals, and socializing. On Lok has a history of
supporting vulnerable populations by creating alternative care
settings with partners in the community. For the city's LGBTQ
seniors that means enrolling in On Lok PACE, a full service
healthcare program, will also include the choice to attend
Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services.
For more information about Community Day contact Ephraim Getahun via email at
egetahun@openhousesf.org or call 415-535-0927. For more information
about On Lok PACE eligibility call 855-973-1110 (TTY: 711).
About On Lok
On Lok is a nonprofit organization that empowers older adults to
age with dignity and independence. With 50 years of experience, On
Lok is a trusted resource in San
Francisco, Santa Clara
County, and the Tri-City area of Alameda County. On Lok founded and still
operates the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE),
which allows eligible seniors to live at home for as long as
possible by providing comprehensive medical care and social
services. On Lok 30th Street Senior Center, the largest
multipurpose senior center in San
Francisco, provides a second home, health programs,
activities, and case management services to active seniors. The On
Lok Mission Nutrition Program provides more than 250,000 meals
annually to seniors through its dining locations and meal delivery
program. For more information, please visit www.onlok.org.
About Openhouse
Openhouse enables San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ+ seniors to
overcome the unique challenges they face as they age by providing
housing, direct services, and community programs. Founded in 1998,
works to center the voices and experiences
of LGBTQ+ older adults by providing opportunities to make
social connections and build community. We are committed to
creating a safe environment to encourage and support community
members to share our diverse perspectives and identities to foster
dynamic community engagement. We recognize and affirm that LGBTQ+
older adults live at intersections of race, ethnicity, class,
culture, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity
and expression, spirituality, and ability. At Openhouse, everyone
is a community member.
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SOURCE On Lok