Search for a topic:
AgeOptions hosts a monthly online event featuring guest presenters on various LGBT+ or aging topics. These events are typically held the fourth Tuesday at 11am on Zoom. While everyone is welcome to attend, our program is geared toward LGBT+ older adults and caregivers in Suburban Cook County Illinois. Pre-registration is required. We record only the informational portion of these cafes (not the introductions or Q&A) and later post to YouTube. Find links to these recordings, slides and other helpful resources below.
Note: All event times are Central (Chicago) time.
For partners, see upcoming event topics and promotional messages here.
Note: All event times are Central (Chicago) time.
For partners, see upcoming event topics and promotional messages here.
What's Next
September 24, 2024: Coping with Grief and Loss
September 24, 2024: Coping with Grief and Loss
|
Loss and grief are a part of all of our lives yet navigating grief can feel overwhelming. During the Pandemic we have lost lives, social interaction, and much more. It can be a struggle to cope with the death of a loved one.
This presentation provides a guide to the different types of loss and how they affect us. We will address common myths about grief. We will also discuss the different categories of grief and grief-informed care. Participants will learn about coping strategies and how best to support loved ones who are grieving. Resources for grief support will also be shared. Participants are encouraged to share stories and experiences if they feel comfortable doing so. We aim to build a safe space to honor loss, integrate grief, and support one another. Pre-registration is required. View flyer here: PDF/Image |
|
August 27, 2024: Shaping our Present and Future: LGBTQIA+ Health Research & Insights from LGBTQIA+ Older Adults
|
Do you want your healthcare to be less one-size-fits-all and more tailored? To be more affirming and inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people and reflect how our communities have unique health experiences and face different barriers?
In this workshop led by Midwest Community Engagement Coordinator Cassie Armea-Warren, we’ll explore these questions, what PRIDEnet is doing to catalyze LGBTQIA+ health research, share results from our recent community listening sessions with LGBTQIA+ older adults, and discuss ways to get involved. Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation Click here for additional resources shared |
July 23, 2024: How to be a Dementia Friend
|
Are you a Dementia Friend? Not yet?
This presentation with Cynthia Ayala of AgeOptions will provide a brief overview of what a Dementia Friend is and how you can become one. You will learn how to effectively communicate with someone living with Alzheimer’s and/or Dementia, in addition to early symptoms of Alzheimer’s compared to other signs of aging and five key take-home messages. Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation Click here for additional resources shared |
|
June 25, 2024: Celebrating the Creativity of our Community
|
With so many events to shuffle between during Pride Month, we invite you to sit back, relax and let us bring this specially curated LGBTQ+ "gallery tour" to you.
Our virtual tour guide, Molly Fulop, is a longtime participant and research assistant for the (Chicago-based) LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project and a doctoral student specializing in LGBTQ art education at UIC. Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation Click here for full list of resources discussed |
May 28, 2024: Exploring the Expansiveness of Gender
|
Are you looking for ways to better support trans community members? Do you have questions you’ve been afraid or embarrassed to ask or don’t know who to ask?
Join Karari Olvera (she/they) and Jes Favers du Shine (they/them) from Praxis Group for a guided discussion in a non-judgmental space as they explore the expansiveness of gender through national data and their own experiences navigating the world as trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people. Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation Click here for additional resources shared |
|
April 23, 2024: Reframing Scam Shame
|
Let's face it - we've all made money mistakes! April is National Financial Capability Month, a time for encouraging people to take action to improve their financial futures. Please join Michael Herndon & Lisa Schifferle from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for a conversation to learn steps that can help protect you from fraud and reframe "getting scammed" into a story of resilience and recovery.
Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation Click here for full list of resources discussed |
March 26, 2024: Honoring LGBTQ+ Chicagoans for Women's History Month
|
This month we welcome Jen Dentel from Gerber/Hart Library & Archives. Jen has volunteered at Gerber/Hart since 2014 and recently became Gerber/Hart's Community Outreach & Strategic Partnerships Manager. Jen will discuss several women highlighted in Gerber/Hart's 2022 podcast Unboxing Queer History whose work and organizations have impacted Chicago LGBTQ+ history. These women include Lorrainne Sade Baskerville, the founders of Amigas Latinas, and the women of the Great Angling Lesbian Society.
Founded in 1981 and located in Chicago's Rogers Park Neighborhood, Gerber/Hart is one of the largest repositories of LGBTQ+ content in the world. Join us as we dive into their amazing collections! Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation |
|
February 27, 2024: Combating Loneliness + Increasing Intimacy
|
How do we connect and build meaningful relationships in the post COVID world? This workshop with Jacqueline Boyd of The Care Plan will provide insights around how to shape your social world. In particular strategies to find and get to know new people, and develop intimacy in your life. Increasing intimacy for you may mean dating, more healthy touch in your life, emotional intimacy or self intimacy, and we'll be covering all these areas together. We benefit in older age from close relationships in our lives, and we are looking forward to discussing these important issues together.
This event was not recorded Click here for slides from this presentation |
January 23, 2024: Focus Group for LGBT+ Older Adults in Suburban Cook County
|
Thrive with Pride by AgeOptions wants to hear from you! Whether you have attended one of our events before or not, we welcome your valuable input on meaningful programs and ways to reach LGBT+ older adults in our area.
Invite a friend! As an incentive for your participation, we will be raffling off one $50 Visa giftcard and two AgeOptions swag packs. This event was not recorded Click here for slides from this presentation |
|
November 28, 2023: Legislative Updates from Equality Illinois
|
Mike Ziri is Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, the state's LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. At a time of unprecedented, hateful, and harmful attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people across the country, Mike will present about the challenges LGBTQ+ people experience in Illinois; how this state continues to advance pro-equality, pro-family policies that support and affirm LGBTQ+ people; and ways that community members can engage in advocacy to build a better Illinois.
Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation |
October 24, 2023: Our Stories
|
In honor of LGBT+ History Month, join us for a virtual community event featuring two storytellers from Chicago Methodist Senior Services GOLD program. The GOLD Program (GLBT+ Older Adults Leading Initiatives to Drive Change) amplifies the voices of LGBT+ older adults to promote inclusion in aging services.
Special Guest: Dr. Katie Fasullo, Corporate Director of Population Health and Health Equity at CMSS, & GOLD Program creator Click here to watch the recording on YouTube Click here for slides from this presentation |
|
