Ethos, a not-for-profit
organization established specifically to
help frail elders remain at home for as
long as possible, officially launched
the Ethos Equality Fund (EEF) on
February 17, during a reception at the
Boston Public Library in Copley Square.
The Ethos Equality Fund is the Boston
area's first fund solely dedicated to
supporting the development,
implementation, and expansion of
programs, services, and activities that
will enhance the quality of life for
lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and
transgender (LGBT) elders and their
support circles.
Dale Mitchell, executive Director of
Ethos, said, “Few groups age with more
challenges than LGBTs. Less likely to be
partnered, more likely to be childless,
and too often estranged from their own
families, LGBTs face significant
barriers to healthy aging. Isolation,
depression, substance abuse, and suicide
are major risks.”
Ethos has long been a leader in taking
on the challenges facing elders and
finding solutions to the vexing knot of
problems that — often prematurely —push
the isolated and homebound into nursing
homes.
Mitchell says that other eldercare
leaders agree that LGBT elders need
support to age in their communities and
with the caregivers of their own
choosing.
A co-founder of the LGBT Aging Project,
Ethos was the first eldercare agency in
the state to go through LGBT staff
training, the first to open
LGBT-friendly elder lunch sites, the
first to offer LGBT-friendly volunteers,
and the first to host support groups for
LGBTcaregivers, as well as those
grieving the loss of loved ones. “While
other mainstream aging services
organizations in the state may finally
be embracing the challenge, no other has
shown as much leadership on LGBT issues
as Ethos,” Mitchell adds.
Ethos is proud of its work helping LGBTs
age with dignity and respect. But
according to Mitchell, much more needs
to be done. “More venues for older LGBTs
to socialize and learn, more support for
stressed-out and grieving LGBT
caregivers, more LGBT-trained home care
aides and personal care attendants, more
support for LGBTs aging with HIV/AIDS,
and more safe LGBT-affirming housing
opportunities are all desperately
needed. The establishment of the Fund
will mark a significant step forward
forequality for older LGBTs and their
caregivers.”
The Ethos Equality Fund has enthusiastic
support from many community and business
leaders, and the host committee included
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and West
Roxbury City Councilor Matt O’Malley;
and the LGBT Aging Project’s Director
Lisa Krinsky.
The EEF launch event also feature a
special screening of the award-winning
documentary "Gen Silent" - filmed in
Boston by Director Stu Maddux—about LGBT
elders and the issues they face in our
healthcare system.
Ethos also operates the Agewell West
Roxbury organization.
