Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) will debut the United States’ first full-time GLBT assisted living facility in New York City in January of 2012. Mayor Michael Bloomberg approved an “Innovate Senior Center” contract Wednesday for the center, which will be based in Chelsea but provide services to non-residents in all five boroughs of the city. Seven other long-term care facilities were awarded Innovative Senior Center contracts by the mayor and the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA). Mayor Bloomberg said of the contracts:
“The needs of seniors have evolved since centers were created 50 years ago and now is the time to re-envision the one-size-fits-all approach that has traditionally shaped many of our centers.”
The SAGE Center plans to provide services to GLBT elders throughout the city during the day, as well as providing about 130 hot meals to seniors in need. The center is following models from similar projects in Spain and Germany. SAGE currently provides services through its SAGE Harlem location and through the city’s LGBT Community center, but the new SAGE Center will reach a new population and provide easier access to those who did not know about or could not get to SAGE’s Harlem location.
Executive Director Michael Adams had this to say:
“Opening The SAGE Center has been our dream for many years. We are thrilled to be part of a bold initiative that emphasizes innovation in aging services; SAGE is committed to building program models that can be replicated in New York City and nationwide.”
