New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
Our New York elder law attorneys are proud to help local residents prepare for the myriad of issues that face them in their golden years. The elderly community remains particularly vulnerable in many ways because of their physical limitations, living conditions, and financial status. It is unfortunate that so many seniors struggle as they age to receive basic day-to-day care that maximizes their quality of life. Still others fall victim to unscrupulous con artists who take advantage of their vulnerability and access to resources built up over a lifetime.
All seniors need to take certain precautions to guard against these risks, but some seniors may have an even stronger need than others. For example, elders in the LGBT community may be less likely to have adult children providing assistance at this time in their lives, meaning outside help is paramount. That is why the news of the grand opening of the nation’s first LGBT Senior Center should be greeted with support. As reported on Friday in The Edge, the center is located in Manhattan on 27th Street in North Chelsea. Referred to as the SAGE Center (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), the facility has been a long time in the making and will undoubtedly play an important role in improving the lives of many local residents.
Summarizing the opening, the SAGE executive director noted, “This center is going to change the lives of LGBT elders here in New York City […] and it is going to be a beacon of light all across the country, because it’s the first center of its kind anywhere.”
The SAGE Center plans to offer a range of important services. Hot meals will be served to those who need it, social service programs will be offered, fitness programs will be available, social activities will be facilitated, and other programs are in the works to help this particular group of city elders. The Center was made possible as part of the city’s Innovative Senior Citizen program to provide additional resources to ten leading city aging organizations. Financing for the SAGE Center also came with support from the Calamus Foundation and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
Working with LGBT residents on estate planning issues as well as senior care concerns, the New York elder law estate planning attorneys at our firm appreciate the unique challenges facing members of this community. All area senior centers act as important bastions of support, community, and purpose for residents who otherwise might not have anywhere to go on a daily basis. The promotion of these spaces is good news for all area seniors and their families.
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