IOA Honors the Sorrow and the Courage of the LGBT Community

In light of the events this past weekend in Orlando, I wanted to take a moment with a heavy heart but with hope in our strong IOA community to reflect on what Pride is about. And I need look no further than to our LGBT Elders to set that example for us all.

lgbt rainbowIn light of the events this past weekend in Orlando, I wanted to take a moment with a heavy heart but with hope in our strong IOA community to reflect on what Pride is about. And I need look no further than to our LGBT Elders to set that example for us all.
For our LGBT seniors, their lives have not been about believing they were safe. Many of them spent years trapped in a closet with the threat of violence, intimidation, and discrimination looming outside the door. And when they came out, it was the ultimate act of courage as they risked losing everything (and I mean everything) in their lives. Threats and bullying were not a single horrifying experience, but a part of everyday life, and jails (both seen and unseen) awaited their arrival. The world did not stand cheering them on in a parade, but instead nodded along and condoned acts of hatred towards them.
And yet, in all of this darkness, our LGBT elders found Pride and showed us how to walk forward. To always reach out to others, even when it is terrifying, because there is someone out there just like you waiting to reach back. To stand up, because you cannot lose when you are fighting for who you are. To yell out in protest until someone listens and the world starts to change to support you and allies line up to stand next to you to make sure you know you are not alone.
Pride is about celebrating (and we will do plenty of that), but let us not forget that it is always most about standing together to be seen, to be heard, and to commit that we will not stop until each and every member of our community is safe. Safe in who we are. Safe in who we love. We stand on the shoulders of these heroes, our LGBT elders, today to walk forward in love and in Pride.

Karyn Skultety, VP of Health Services

 
It is for this reason, to celebrate this courage, that our LGBT Senior Prom on Saturday, June 18th will continue. We hope to see you there, representing the Pride and strength of our LGBT community.

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Institute on Aging

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As we approach the end of #SocialWorkMonth, Institute on Aging would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible work being done by all of our Community Living Fund and HomeSafe social workers.

These dedicated professionals have shown unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to clients and building strong, vibrant communities. We are consistently impressed by the passion and expertise they bring to their work and their ability to connect with clients in meaningful ways. Our CLF and HomeSafe social workers have risen to this challenge time and time again, going above and beyond to support the individuals and families they serve.

At Institute on Aging, we are grateful every day for our social work teams' hard work and dedication. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to these outstanding professionals for all they do to make a difference in our clients' and communities' lives. You truly embody the spirit of social work, and we are honored to have you as part of our team.

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Sophia became a part of the Community Living Fund team in December 2022, joining at a critical time when additional coverage was required for certain cases. Additionally, CLF was in the process of introducing a new assessment and implementing CalAim services for San Francisco members.

Sophia has been an essential contributor to these ongoing initiatives while effectively managing a caseload of Intensive Case Management (ICM) clients. We were thrilled to receive positive feedback about her support for the TRCS program, which demonstrates her dedication to the agency's mission. CLF is grateful to have a Case Manager like Sophia, who is passionate about serving San Francisco's vulnerable population.

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Three and a half years ago, Maggie Fang started her journey as an Assessment Specialist in the Support at Home Program at IOA. Her excellent people skills enabled her to manage a caseload of older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them receive homecare to age in place. Maggie was selected to pioneer the Temporary Respite Caregiver Support program, and we are delighted to have such a skilled and dedicated individual leading our newest program at IOA. Thank you, Maggie, for your exceptional work! 

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Join us at the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center as Caregiver Coach Alex shares with us the incredible support and care provided to participants living with dementia. Clients enjoy various engaging activities, from music therapy to art classes, designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical abilities. The skilled staff at the Enrichment Center also provides caregivers with much-needed support and respite, allowing them to take a break and attend to their needs. If you or someone you know is looking for support in caring for a loved one with dementia, the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center in the Presidio is an excellent resource for you! 

Learn more by visiting the link in our bio! 

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