PRESS RELEASE
The Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) is the first-ever nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusivity and care at long-term care communities in the U.S.
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – July 8, 2021 – Chaparral House is proud to be recognized as a pioneer in educating its staff, having LGBTQ-inclusive and respecting policies, and providing a welcoming care environment for LGBTQ seniors by being profiled (page 13-14) in the first edition of the Long- Term Care Equality Index (LEI), a national benchmarking tool created by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and SAGE to evaluate long-term care communities based on their treatment of LGBTQ people.
View the entire press release (PDF)
Excerpts from the 2021 LGBTQ Care Equality Report…
“Our goal is helping people live a rich and full life. We want our LGBTQ residents, who have been so marginalized in many ways, to feel that they fit in and are comfortable living with us.”
Chuck Cole, CFO/COO of Chaparral House.
“The leadership of Chaparral House had been involved in health care in the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and so the organization had
a baseline level of sensitivity to LGBTQ issues and appropriate, respectful care. Word-of-mouth started bringing LGBTQ residents to Chaparral House. Individuals told their friends, “If you ever need a nursing home, go to Chaparral” and the word spread.”“Being affirming of LGBTQ residents’ sexuality can have a profound impact. For example, a gay couple requested private time together and Chaparral House discreetly made that happen. Cole says, “Soon before his death, with tears streaming down his face, the resident said how
meaningful that was to him, that he could be with his partner like that in an institution.””