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About Us
Our Mission
The virtual LGBTQ Caregiver Center aims to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ Caregivers and those who care for LGBTQ individuals, empower LGBTQ Caregivers to live with pride and dignity and serve as a conduit for education, training and research. The Center provides information and resources, delivers training and services to enhance the health and well-being of LGBTQ Caregivers.
Who We Are
The Caregiver Wellness Collective Inc. is a nonprofit startup focused on advocating for and empowering caregivers to cultivate resilience for improved health and sustainable caregiving through holistic wellness education and services. The LGBTQ Caregiver Center is an initiative of the Collective that is guided by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals, advocates and allies.
Our Advisory Circle
Dr. Jace Flatt (He/Him/His) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Social and Behavioral Health Program. Dr. Flatt’s current research works to better understand the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on sexual and gender minority (LGBTQI+) adults. Dr. Flatt has a NIH career award (K01) on Risk and Protective Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias for Sexual and Gender Minorities. He’s also co-PI on a pilot study from the NIA’s Research Centers Collaborative Network exploring cognition and gender trends in three American generations. He was a past scholar with the UCSF Center for Aging in Diverse Communities and Rutgers University Asian Resource Center for Minority Aging Research. He currently has 30 publications in the field of Aging, Dementia, and Sexual and Gender Minority health. Dr. Flatt also received the 2020 National Institutes of Health Sexual and Gender Minority Early Career Investigator Award.
For the past 10 years, Dr. Flatt has leveraged his platform as a public health researcher to work as an advocate for the LGBTQI+ community. To further the reach of his advocacy efforts, he partners with InterACT Advocates, Openhouse, SAGE, the Los Angeles LGBT Center Senior Services, and Center on Halsted in Chicago, IL. He is also partnering with several community organizations, where he created the Building H.O.U.S.E. (Healthy Outcomes Using a Supportive Environment) for LGBTQI+ older adults, which is exploring the role of affordable and welcoming housing on the health of LGBTQI+ older adults in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, and Houston. His work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report, NPR, Newsweek, as well as international news outlets.
Adults aged 60 and older are one of the fastest growing groups, including those identifying LGBTQI+ in the United States. Dr. Flatt’s hope is that his current research and advocacy efforts will shape the training of care-providers, creating a more inclusive aging environment for LGBTQI+ individuals.
Website: https://www.rainbowsofaging.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowsofaging
About Cindy
Cindy Hardin-Weiss (She/Her/Hers), graduated in 1992 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, MO. The majority of her career has been spent in Home Healthcare, with short stints in skilled rehabilitation and outpatient therapy clinical settings. Her passion is assisting people in maintaining their independence, especially when it makes the difference in their ability to remain in their home.
Cindy is a co-founder of Adaptive Equipment and Caregiving Corner which provides online education and instruction for caregivers and individuals to improve safety and function during activities of daily living.
Website: https://www.aecorner.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/adaptiveequipmentcorner
IG: @AECorner15
Twitter: @AECorner15
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-and-christina-aec/
LinkedIn (Showcase): https://www.linkedin.com/company/adaptive-equipment-corner/
About Christina
Christina Hardin-Weiss (She/Her/Hers) graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master’s degree in Speech/Language/Dysphagia Therapy. She has spent most of her career treating patients in the skilled nursing facility environment. Christina enjoys working with people that have difficulty eating, chewing and swallowing after illness or disease.
Christina is a co-founder of Adaptive Equipment and Caregiving Corner which provides online education and instruction for caregivers and individuals to improve safety and function during activities of daily living.
Website: https://www.aecorner.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/adaptiveequipmentcorner
IG: @AECorner15
Twitter: @AECorner15
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-and-christina-aec/
LinkedIn (Showcase): https://www.linkedin.com/company/adaptive-equipment-corner/
Jennifer Henius (She/Her/Hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, military spouse, trauma informed yoga teacher, long distance caregiver, demonstrated LGBTQ ally and nationally recognized caregiver advocate. Jennifer is a senior healthcare consultant and social impact entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of the Caregiver Wellness Collective Inc., Yoga4Caregivers, Social Work Yogis and Namaste Tampa Bay. Jennifer has nearly 20 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs and is the former Senior Health System Specialist for VA’s pioneering Caregiver Support Program with annual outlays of more than $800+ million. Jennifer served a key role in developing critical policy, innovative programming, strategic communications and business operations. Jennifer worked to integrate LGBTQ+ sensitivity to VA’s national Caregiver Education and Training Curriculum. She also served on a national interdisciplinary a team under the direction of Dr. Michael Kauth, Executive Director of VA’s National LGBT Program to establish VHA Directive 1340 Provision of Health Care for Veterans Who Identify as Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual to ensure national guidance for the equitable, respectful, and affirming delivery of clinically appropriate health care to lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) Veterans. Jennifer’s interests include health equity, caregiver burnout and whole health. She created the Caregiver Wellness Collective Inc. as a nonprofit during the COVID pandemic to support caregiver health and well-being. In doing so, Jennifer sought out to develop and implement lgbtqcaregivers.org with LGBTQ colleagues and LGBTQ health and aging subject matter experts to increase visibility and supports for this unique and underserved caregiving population.
Yoga4Caregivers: www.facebook.com/yoga4caregivers
Twitter: @jenhenius
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-henius-lcsy-ryt-910394b
Zander Keig, LCSW is an award-winning speaker, educator, author, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many distinguishing accolades including: 2020 WPATH Harry Benjamin Distinguished Educator, 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year, and 2018 NASW CA Social Worker of the Year, as well as a Certified Mental Wellness
Website: https://www.zanderkeig.net/
Christopher MacLellan (He/Him/His) is the Author of “What’s The Deal with Caregiving” and the host of Healing Ties podcast featured on The Whole Care Network. Affectionately known as “The Bow Tie Guy” in the vast network of family caregivers, the story of Chris and his deceased partner, Richard Schiffer was chronicled in a 2015 Pulitzer Prize nominated story “In Sickness and In Health: A Couple’s Final Journey” about their journey of caregiving.
The story told of the challenges that LGBT partners have in dealing with the medical and legal system, but it also told of the love and joy that Richard’s last years had on their relationship. Chris’ masters degree thesis, Caregiving, Stress and its Impact on the Work Place was accepted by the faculty at Gonzaga University in 2016 where he earned a masters degree in Leadership and Communication. Chris founded the Whole Care Network in 2016, presents regularly on topics that impact family Caregivers and now is Aging Gayfully after caregiving has ended.
Website: www.thewholecarenetwork.com
Twitter: @TheBowTieGuy