Resources for
This page lists links and information on national, IL-specific, and local resources for LGBT+ older adults and caregivers in suburban Cook County.
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Need someone to talk to right now?
SAGE maintains a 24-hour hotline for LGBT+ older adults and caregivers - in English and Spanish.
Call (877)-360-5428.
(Or, click here for more information.)
SAGE maintains a 24-hour hotline for LGBT+ older adults and caregivers - in English and Spanish.
Call (877)-360-5428.
(Or, click here for more information.)
Local Resources in the Chicagoland Area
Click here to see a list of Illinois-specific resources, from SAGE.
Affinity Community Services is a Black led, queer led organization on Chicago’s Southside dedicated to social justice in Black LGBTQ+ communities. For 25 years, they have centered Black queer women through community organizing, intergenerational programming, education, and healing justice. Offerings include groups and resources for those in their 40's, 50's and beyond, as well as groups for masculine-of-center women and those raising children.
Center on Halsted offers many programs and services for anyone 55+ who identifies as part of the LGBT+ community.
Howard Brown Health Aging Services offers health care along with numerous programs for older adults and caregivers, including Thrive with Pride cafes for those living in Chicago or the south suburbs, and groups for trans* older adults and long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS.
Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association Plus (OPALGA+) offers many programs and services for all ages who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Click here to see a list of current offerings.
Proud To Thrive at the Center for Elder and Disability Law provides free and low-cost legal helps to older adults who qualify.
Senior Rainbow Assistance Program provides small grants to help LGBT+ older adults stay safe and warm in their own homes. See their website for application and donation details.
TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network) offers services and advocacy for people living with HIV. Their "positively aging" project centers on people 50+ living with HIV or AIDS.
VA Hines and VA Chicago (Jesse Brown) health care employees receive training in clinical care that is responsive to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans. LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinators can answer your questions, advocate for your right to quality care, handle complaints or concerns you have about your care, and help you get started with any of their services for LGBTQ+ Veterans - including support groups and health promotion groups.
Wellness House hosts an online support group for members of the LGBT+ community living with or caring for someone with a cancer diagnosis. Click here to visit their virtual program hub.
Downstate Resources
AgeLinc is the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland (Springfield, IL). PrideLinc’s purpose is to provide equitable services, support, social connection and education to LGBT+ older adults in order to help them maintain dignity, health and independent living. Click here to learn more.
Uniting Pride exists to create a Champaign County (IL) where all who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities can live full, healthy, and vibrant lives. AgingUP is a group for LGBTQ+ older adults (living in Champaign County) that meets virtually every Sunday at 3PM to gather and discuss the fears, joys, and complications of aging in a safe and affirming space. This group is open to all genders. For more details on AgingUP, contact [email protected].
National Resources
SAGECents is a digital wellness platform made specifically for LGBTQ+ elders to increase financial stability and reduce economic stress. By creating a free account, registrants instantly access tools, information, and resources that are curated for the LGBTQ+ experience to help elders make the financial decisions that are right for their life.
HearMe, an LGBTQ+ founded company, is an on-demand mental wellness app that allows you to text one-on-one with trained empathetic listeners to get things off your chest, be seen, heard, and validated. SAGE x HearMe is compassionate support at your fingertips.
Click here to see a list of Illinois-specific resources, from SAGE.
Affinity Community Services is a Black led, queer led organization on Chicago’s Southside dedicated to social justice in Black LGBTQ+ communities. For 25 years, they have centered Black queer women through community organizing, intergenerational programming, education, and healing justice. Offerings include groups and resources for those in their 40's, 50's and beyond, as well as groups for masculine-of-center women and those raising children.
Center on Halsted offers many programs and services for anyone 55+ who identifies as part of the LGBT+ community.
Howard Brown Health Aging Services offers health care along with numerous programs for older adults and caregivers, including Thrive with Pride cafes for those living in Chicago or the south suburbs, and groups for trans* older adults and long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS.
Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association Plus (OPALGA+) offers many programs and services for all ages who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Click here to see a list of current offerings.
Proud To Thrive at the Center for Elder and Disability Law provides free and low-cost legal helps to older adults who qualify.
Senior Rainbow Assistance Program provides small grants to help LGBT+ older adults stay safe and warm in their own homes. See their website for application and donation details.
TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network) offers services and advocacy for people living with HIV. Their "positively aging" project centers on people 50+ living with HIV or AIDS.
VA Hines and VA Chicago (Jesse Brown) health care employees receive training in clinical care that is responsive to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans. LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinators can answer your questions, advocate for your right to quality care, handle complaints or concerns you have about your care, and help you get started with any of their services for LGBTQ+ Veterans - including support groups and health promotion groups.
Wellness House hosts an online support group for members of the LGBT+ community living with or caring for someone with a cancer diagnosis. Click here to visit their virtual program hub.
Downstate Resources
AgeLinc is the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland (Springfield, IL). PrideLinc’s purpose is to provide equitable services, support, social connection and education to LGBT+ older adults in order to help them maintain dignity, health and independent living. Click here to learn more.
Uniting Pride exists to create a Champaign County (IL) where all who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities can live full, healthy, and vibrant lives. AgingUP is a group for LGBTQ+ older adults (living in Champaign County) that meets virtually every Sunday at 3PM to gather and discuss the fears, joys, and complications of aging in a safe and affirming space. This group is open to all genders. For more details on AgingUP, contact [email protected].
National Resources
SAGECents is a digital wellness platform made specifically for LGBTQ+ elders to increase financial stability and reduce economic stress. By creating a free account, registrants instantly access tools, information, and resources that are curated for the LGBTQ+ experience to help elders make the financial decisions that are right for their life.
HearMe, an LGBTQ+ founded company, is an on-demand mental wellness app that allows you to text one-on-one with trained empathetic listeners to get things off your chest, be seen, heard, and validated. SAGE x HearMe is compassionate support at your fingertips.
For Caregivers of Older Adults
Click here for information on how caregiving in the LGBT+ community is unique, and to find a caregiver resource center near you.
Join the Aging with Pride: IDEA Project to receive coaching for caregivers and those suffering memory loss. Participants will be compensated for their time.
Caregiver TeleConnection provides free hourlong telephone-based programming for caregivers. Programs in June and January focus on LGBT+ issues; all programs are open to caregivers of all stripes.
For Grandparents & Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth, includes a 24 hour suicide and self-harm prevention hotline
Gender Spectrum has support groups and resources for parents, grandparents and caregivers of gender-diverse youth
PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Housing and Long Term Care
Contact AgeOptions for information on what help may be available to stay in your own home.
The National Resource Center on LGBT+ Aging has a helpful fact sheet on self-advocacy in the housing search, including finding affirming housing, or confronting housing discrimination if you encounter it.
The Long-Term Care Equality Index is a joint project of SAGE and the Human Rights Campaign. They've published a resource on how to tell if a long-term care facility is inclusive, including questions to ask as you're considering various options.
Contact AgeOptions for information on what help may be available to stay in your own home.
The National Resource Center on LGBT+ Aging has a helpful fact sheet on self-advocacy in the housing search, including finding affirming housing, or confronting housing discrimination if you encounter it.
The Long-Term Care Equality Index is a joint project of SAGE and the Human Rights Campaign. They've published a resource on how to tell if a long-term care facility is inclusive, including questions to ask as you're considering various options.
We alway looking to update this list. If you have a resource you'd like to see here,
click here to contact us and submit it.
You can also click here to check out our page of resources for providers.
click here to contact us and submit it.
You can also click here to check out our page of resources for providers.
