At LionHeart Eldercare & Consulting, we value all our clients and provide thoughtful and respectful care that meets each individual’s needs. We strive to recognize and respect client preferences by seeking to provide quality care management customized to all lifestyles. LionHeart Eldercare & Consulting is proud to offer personalized services that address the specific needs of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
We understand that the LGBTQ+ community has been underserved when it comes to senior care. This deficiency in senior care management is why we’re dedicated to providing a professional, friendly, and respectful staff that serve as allies for the LGBTQ+ community.
We respect and affirm the identity of each of our clients and do not require anyone to disclose gender identity and sexual orientation. Our staff is sensitive to the adverse experiences some may have faced. Clients who wish to share information can disclose as much or as little as they prefer, always in a safe, confidential manner.
If you are looking for affirming care, give us a call at 703-677-8319.
Here are some of the ways we specifically support LGBTQ+ older adults.
One of the biggest concerns we hear about revolves around respectful treatment of LGBTQ+ residents in assisted living, memory care, or nursing homes.
“Will I be neglected or given poor quality care and attention?”
“Will I be shunned by other residents?”
“Will I have to go back in the closet?”
“Can my same-sex partner and I move in and be accepted?”
“Will conjugal visits be permitted?”
We can help you choose service providers who make it a point to hire sensitive staff. We can also assist with the move-in transition so that you and those who care for you are comfortable and affirming of your identity.
If you are married, the Supreme Court has upheld the legality of same-sex marriage. You and your partner have the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples. If you are not officially married, you will want to be sure that your partner is able to provide you the support you need and receive the benefits you wish them to have. Without proper documentation, the state may default to “next of kin” in your birth family. That may not be your preference. We can discuss the following:
We actively cultivate a network of professionals who are sensitive to common issues in the LGBTQ+ community and can provide you with affirming service:
Decades of stigma have resulted in a much higher incidence of depression, and even suicidality, in the LGBTQ+ community. We are especially watchful for issues of social isolation and fears about needing to go “back in the closet.”
More than half the people living with HIV are over age fifty. HPV (human papilloma virus) is also prevalent, especially among gay men. We can help you manage these conditions for optimal health and wellness.
Trans individuals on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) are charting new ground as medical science is only now learning about the long-term effects of prolonged hormone use. We pay particular attention to cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, blood clots (thrombosis), and unexplained pelvic pain.
LionHeart is dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ seniors and fostering a welcoming environment for all. We are proud to partner with SAGECare, the largest nonprofit organization advocating for LGBTQ+ elders. All our staff are SAGE certified and have undergone extensive training in providing compassionate care for LGBTQ+ community members. The credentialing process evaluates our policies, staff training on LGBTQ+ cultural competency, and support services. This ensures we meet high standards for creating a diverse and supportive environment. Together with SAGECare, we strive to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults, ensuring that everyone feels respected, valued, and celebrated.
If you are looking for help with a vulnerable loved one, look no further. When a nursing home told me, the only family member and newly minted POA for mother, that they thought a care manager would help I thought they didn’t know me well enough yet-I manage my own solo private practice and pride myself on caring for loved ones. I had NO IDEA what I was in for the past 2 years and Lionheart (Bianca in particular, a total saint and godsend) has been there with creative, compassionate, and kind solutions every step of the way. Bianca has found ways to help my mother and I that I didn’t even know existed. They are the BEST.
I highly recommend LionHeart Eldercare Consulting. They are a compassionate, caring group of consultants with a wealth of experience, advice, and resources. As the primary caregiver for a loved one with dementia, I often have contacted them for guidance, and they have responded quickly with exactly what I have needed. I cannot praise them enough.
I can’t say enough wonderful things about LionHeart. My husband’s Assisted Living could no longer serve his needs & they wanted him to leave ASAP. LionHeart had the expertise, compassion & wisdom to find the RIGHT place that more than fit his needs and level of care within budgetary constraints. He is very happy there & the care is outstanding. They were also very kind & caring to me. It was my lucky 🍀 day when Colleen of LionHeart was the first agency to return my call on a very bleak day.Thanks & More Thanks! 💗
LionHeart staff helped us identify a quality and caring assisted living community that fit our budget. My dad loves looking out his new bedroom window, watching people and dogs and cars.
During my husband's most recent, and most serious illness, the depth of knowledge of Colleen Duewel, Certified Eldercare Consultant of Lionheart Eldercare Consulting was a true blessing as I navigated the complicated territory of Long Term Health Care, care facilities, Medicare, legal matters - and so on. I highly recommend this company. The invaluable expertise and kindness of Colleen and staff comes at a time when we need it most.
LionHeart Eldercare has been a terrific help in planning for recovery from surgery. They helped me make a great plan for aftercare to help with physical recovery and household tasks. And found the right people/services to make it all work, giving me peace of mind. For their practical and understanding support, I highly recommend LionHeart.
Colleen has been very helpful during my early efforts to assist a friend with dementia . The initial and ongoing info she provided have allowed me to function on my friends behalf. I am sure I will be using more of LionHeart Eldercare's services as the disease progresses.
I highly recommend Colleen to anybody seeking sound, knowledgeable advice about elder care. I make that recommendation based on more than two decades of friendship and her invaluable help during my mother’s last years.In particular, I have Colleen to thank for finding a new home health care service that provided everything Mom needed and more for a much more reasonable amount of money.Colleen is invariably responsive, empathetic and kind.Now I’m working with Colleen to plan for my own final years.
Colleen provided tremendous help and insight when I had to deal with a sister in another city from where I lived. She helped me find the right resources and counseled me throughout a long an difficult situation that I would not been able to have navigated on my own. She compassionate, caring and extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend her!
Colleen is an out-of-the-box thinker with a real compassion for older adults and their families. She is very knowledgeable about resources in our area and has the hands on experience to guide you through the overwhelming maze of working details. She loves challenges and is persistent in finding options and solutions that will work for your situation. Colleen has patiently listened to my sometimes stressed out ramblings about my elderly family member and was able to clearly identify important issues and offer a direction for finding solutions. I don't hesitate for a second to refer others to Colleen for her services.
Colleen has the experience, network and especially the heart to guide you or someone you love on the often-confusing journey through aging. I've always trusted completely that she would take excellent care of anyone I referred to her, and she's never let me down.
Colleen Duewel is perceptive, knowledgeable, and kind. After only one visit to talk about future living options, she wrote a series of useful recommendations for us. She included general observations about our personal situation and clear information to guide us in decision-making. We were able to decide on a Continuing Care Residential Community quite soon thereafter, and more than once we have called her for quick updates. I have always found her to be responsive and thoughtful. I have confidently referred several other people to Colleen at LionHeart.
