Creating a welcoming home health care environment for LGBT older adults

Caring for LGBT older adults with dignity and respect.

At the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), we understand that many LGBT older adults have experienced discrimination, social stigma, and prejudice. We are committed to treating every patient with empathy, courtesy, and respect.

VNSNY clinicians, administrative and senior staff have received training on working with LGBT communities from the LGBT senior advocacy organization SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), ensuring that all of our staff are aware of and sensitive to the needs and concerns of LGBT older adults. In fact, VNSNY is the largest home- and community-based health care organization in the New York City metropolitan area with the SAGECare Platinum level LGBT cultural competency credential. SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults.

Our promise to LGBT patients:

1. Our staff will treat you in a friendly and professional manner and with the highest level of confidentiality.
2. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming, bias-free environment to all of our LGBT patients.
3. We want our patients to feel free and safe and to be open
   about their sexual orientation and gender identity with their VNSNY caregivers and to expect nothing less than utmost respect and encouragement in return.
4. We will give special attention to protocols and procedures around gender identity so that insurance coverage is not affected.
5. We will help identify safe and trusted resources in the community to help support your health care needs.

At VNSNY, we value diversity and are committed to upholding discrimination-free ethics for both our employees and our patients.

Nearly 125 years as a safe harbor for all New Yorkers in need.

VNSNY provides a wide range of welcoming, safe home and community-based health care services to LGBT community members.

• Nursing services provided by registered nurses
• Rehabilitation therapy provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists
• Help with social, emotional or mental health needs, provided by nurses and social workers
• Assistance with personal care and activities of daily living, provided by certified home health aides
• Hospice and palliative care provided by compassionate, specially trained experts
• Private pay home care services, including nursing and home health aide personal care, are available through Partners in Care. For more information, call 1-888-9-GET-HELP.
• Medicare and Medicaid health plans as well as special needs plans for HIV/AIDS provided by VNSNY CHOICE Health Plans. For more information, call 1-855-AT-CHOICE.

We are dedicated to helping all New Yorkers live safely and independently in their homes and diverse communities.

The LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights

First announced by Dr. Mary Travis Basset, the LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights is a critical piece of health care information that empowers you to take responsibility for your health. It lays out 10 important legal rights that you can assert in any health care situation.

At VNSNY, we strongly support the LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights.

“As a nurse, I’ve met so many LGBTQ people of all ages who still live in fear, and to whom these basic rights have been withheld, miscommunicated, or culturally garbled… But it doesn’t have to be that way.” Arthur Fitting, BSN, RN, LGBT Program Director

VNSNY celebrates PRIDE!

Gender Affirmation Surgery

For patients who have had vaginoplasty, skilled nursing care at home is an important part of transitioning and recovery. VNSNY has more than 150 nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and social workers who are specially trained to provide patients with the medical and emotional support they need post-surgery. In addition to clinical care, VNSNY staff can help educate family caregivers, and update the surgical team throughout recovery.

We’re here for you.

An estimated 122,400 older New Yorkers identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Our goal at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York is to comprehensively support the home health care needs of LGBT older adults in the city. We are committed to providing high quality, culturally sensitive care for LGBT older adults. VNSNY is proud to have its own LGBT Advocacy Group made up of staff from all parts of our organization, with the goal of ensuring the best possible home care support for LGBT older patients.

For more information about any of VNSNY services, please call the VNSNY Customer Care Center at: 1-888-VNS-1-CALL (1-888-867-1225)

Click here to download the PDF brochure.

VNSNY Home Care services are available in the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties. Our Care Center staff is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

*Stock Photos. Posed by Models