Aging as Ourselves is a community wide collaborative that provides a safe and comfortable environment to LGBT seniors to tap into culturally responsive legal, social and health related services. Aging as Ourselves evolved from a 2003 assessment conducted by the Alliance Healthcare Foundation with support from The California Endowment to ascertain the health care needs of LGBT seniors in San Diego County. The study found that LGBT seniors have special needs and suffer unique barriers to care. Please visit the Aging website at www.agingasourselves.org.

Collaborative Partners

ElderHelp of San Diego: As the lead collaborative agency, ElderHelp will direct the Aging as Ourselves project; provide case management and referrals to health and social services for LGBT seniors; assist with volunteer recruitment and training; provide space for free legal counseling; and develop and conduct health provider educational trainings and seminars.
For more information contact:
Renee Nashtutat 619-284-9281 x 15 or rnashtut@elderhelpofsandiego.org

S.A.G.E. of California: Seniors Active in a Gay Environment (S.A.G.E.) is committed to fostering a greater understanding of aging and meeting the unique needs of senior citizens. As a collaborating partner for Aging as Ourselves, S.A.G.E. will work with ElderHelp to recruit and train volunteers to provide culturally sensitive, non-medical, in-home supportive services to LGBT seniors. In addition, S.A.G.E. will sponsor an Alcoholics Anonymous group, a Prostate Cancer Support Group for men, provide space for free legal advice and provide health and social services for LGBT seniors.
For more information contact:
Tom Kirkman at 619-298-9900 or sagesd@sage-sd.com

Family Health Centers of San Diego: As a collaborating partner for Aging as Ourselves, FHCSD will develop and implement an HIV/AIDS social marketing campaign targeted towards LGBT seniors to increase awareness of STD risk factors and safer sex practices as well as to encourage STD testing.
For more information contact:
Bob Lewis at 619-515-2586 or robertl@fhcsd.org

The LGBT Community Center: As a collaborating partner for Aging as Ourselves, The Center will provide individual mental health counseling and seminars, referrals to health and social services and access to legal seminars and legal counseling. In addition, seniors will be reached through social, cultural and skill based activities as well as support and discussion groups.
For more information contact:
David Vangilder at 619-692-2077 x 206 or dvangilder@thecentersd.org

Elder Law and Advocacy: As a collaborating partner for Aging as Ourselves, Elder Law & Advocacy will provide free legal assistance and counseling for LGBT seniors.
For more information contact:
Bob Martin at 858-565-1392 or bmartin@seniorlaw-sd.org

PALS: PALS is a community and social group of older Lesbians and Lesbian Seniors In North County San Diego, California. As a collaborating partner for Aging as Ourselves, PALS will sponsor womenÕs health education programs for lesbians.
For more information contact:
Mary Wynn at 760-757-3545 or marywynn@cox.net

By working together to ensure that services are delivered in a culturally sensitive fashion, we hope to enhance the quality of care and reduce health risks for LGBT seniors.