September 29, 2020 —Kendal at Hanover was awarded Silver Status accreditation last month by SAGECare, a division of the country’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults. Silver Status accreditation is awarded when over 40% of the staff has attended the extensive online or in-person training. Kendal at Hanover is the only continuing care retirement community in New Hampshire to achieve this status.
“We are proud of our partnership with SAGECare, but more importantly, we are proud to provide this training opportunity for Kendal’s staff,” said Executive Director Beth Vettori. “Broadening our staff’s education enables us to support each resident to live to his or her full potential as we look to meet the needs of a diverse and inclusive community.”
The SAGECare training included lessons in quality of service, supports available to LGBT older adults, and how to create a more inclusive community through best practices. Over 150 of the community’s 300 staff members have participated in the training in the past year. Gold Status will be achieved when the organization reaches 60% of staff completing the training, which is expected by the year’s end.
“In order to meet the needs of the LGBT aging population, we need to be competent and educated on language barriers and have access to resources for improved care,” said Tammy Bishop, Kendal at Hanover’s Community Health Educator. “Through SAGE, we have access to evidence-based models and professional staff that support this growing community. The LGBT population is a consumer in the long-term care market, and their opinions, concerns and healthcare is incredibly important to us.”
Together Kendal at Hanover 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. The next phase of the training is to work directly with residents around language, healthcare specific needs and social biases.