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At a particularly divisive time both politically and religiously, Blue
Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has certified a new
wave of BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone providers representing several
specialties across the state that offer safe, affirming, and inclusive care
to the LGBTQ community. BCBSRI introduced the program in 2016,
and this new group – including primary care, behavioral health, child
and family services, and, for the first time, elder care facilities – joins
more than a dozen other providers statewide designated as BCBSRI
LGBTQ Safe Zone certified providers.
In this robust new group of Safe Zone providers, it is of particular
significance that we have identified Safe Zones specifically for elder
care for the first time: Aldersbridge Communities. Despite creating
families of choice and other support networks, many LGBTQ older
people still experience high rates of social isolation. They are twice as
likely to be single and to live alone, and three to four times as likely
to be childless. Older LGBTQ people who find themselves in a care
facility are already in a vulnerable situation regardless of their sexuality.
We sometimes see a phenomenon of LGBTQ seniors “aging back
into the closet” out of fear of negative treatment by staff or fellow
residents. According to the organization Justice in Aging, only 50
percent of senior-age LGBTQ Americans in long-term care said they
were comfortable being out about their orientation.
The newly designated
BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zones include:
PVD Psychological Associates - Providence
A private psychology practice whose mission is to provide the
greater Rhode Island area with exceptional therapy and to offer
cutting edge and research-supported treatment by a team of highly
trained therapists. PVD Psychological Associates serves adults, college
students, and adolescents, and they are an affirming practice that is
well-versed in serving LGBTQ individuals and their families.
Tri-County Community Action Agency - Johnston
A non-profit agency that provides a highly diverse and comprehensive
range of services where LGBTQ patients can feel safe, welcome, and
cared for. Tri-County’s health centers have already been designated
as Safe Zones, and now the Community Action Agency hopes to
improve access to preventive medical, behavioral, and dental services
for LGBTQ patients.
St. Mary’s Home for Children - North Providence
An organization with the mission of creating an environment of
healing and hope for children and their families. Recently, St. Mary’s has
been working toward assessing the needs of its diverse population
of clients and has implemented a standard of care with a focus on
its LGBTQ youth.
Lifespan Physician Group Lifestyle
Medicine Center (LPG) - Providence
The center provides evidence-based practice in assisting individuals
and families to adopt and sustain behaviors that can improve their
health and quality of life. LPG offers both individual and group
lifestyle medicine services and its methods focus on four main areas:
physical activity, nutrition, substance use, and stress management. LPG
understands that there are patients who may be reluctant to reveal
their sexual orientation or gender identity to their care team and is
working to provide a welcoming healthcare setting.
Aldersbridge Communities –
East Providence, Providence, and Woonsocket
Elder care communities that provide assisted living, independent
living, long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation for older
persons to live in comfort, with dignity and purpose. Aldersbridge
feels that for a person to be most comfortable in their new home
or workplace they must be accepted and respected in all ways. If a
senior resident chooses to come out or learns that a family member
or friend is LGBTQ, Aldersbridge wants to assure them they are in a
comfortable, supportive, and healthy environment.
Studies show that the LGBTQ community has particular
difficulty accessing quality healthcare. Sexual minorities are more likely
to rate their health as poor compared to non-LGBTQ individuals.
There are, however, a growing number of healthcare providers who
are educated, or are willing to learn, about how to provide culturally
competent care for sexual minorities. The BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe
Zone Program aims to close this gap.
Certification requirements for BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone
providers include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients;
protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender
identity or expression; inclusive bathroom policies; affirming forms
and procedures; and a public commitment to connecting with and
serving LGBTQ people. Since 2016, BCBSRI has certified more than
a dozen Safe Zones in Rhode Island to help ensure the LGBTQ
community can find the care they need. View the full list of providers
at bcbsri.com/safezones.
Each of us deserves safe and affirming medical care, regardless
of our gender identity or sexuality. While there is no one answer,
BCBSRI is working toward ensuring high-quality, affordable healthcare
for all Rhode Islanders. It is our hope that the LGBTQ Safe Zone
Program will continue to help improve access for LGBTQ patients
in receiving the best healthcare possible.
Guillaume Bagal is Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Blue
Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state’s leading health
insurer and covers more than 450,000 members. The company is an
independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For
more information, visit www.bcbsri.com, follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI, and
like us on Facebook at fb.com/bcbsri. To learn more about Safe Zones,
visit bcbsri.com/safezones.
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