SAGE Upstate promotes the well-being of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Central New York through health programs, social/support groups, and education.
COVID Variants
Valerie McNickol and a fab raffle for Valentines Day, Programs at Upstate and more
Do you have skills or interest to to contribute to SAGE programs, outreach, or fundraising? We could use your help. More here.
We're looking for people interested in serving on the SAGE Upstate Board. Responsibilities include attending monthly meetings, serving on a committiee (program, fundraising, outreach,, events, etc), and overall guidance of the organization. All meetings are now held on Zoom online or by phone. Email Gary Fitzgerald, Board Development Chair, here.
In the community: Black Health Town Hall on COVID & State Town Hall on Genda
SAGE Upstate is recruiting
board members.
Are you interested? Know someone we should ask?
Groups this week (find all meeting info on the calendar page here)
1/24
Oswego
on Zoom
1/25
Fitness Class
1/26
SAGEVets
1/27
Writers
Knitters
1/28
SAGE Board
1/29
Fitness Class
Watch videos of recent
SAGE events
(and find more on the program page here)
Second Sunday in January with author, educator, and activist, Minnie Bruce Pratt and Earl Taylor from the Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus, plus concert footage.
COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion with Terrence Howell, Director of Quality for Research at Upstate Medical University.
Community Building
Sponsor
We know . . . getting a COVID-19 Vaccine is challenging.
It all starts here:
Log on, enter eligibility info, and choose a site. We've heard from a few people that they've had success checking back at different times of day. People are getting appointments in April and March -- some even February. If you are having trouble, email Kim here and we'll try to point you in the right direction.
COVID-19 spread is STILL at dangerous levels, and it's a rapidly changing situation, here are some places to find information about spread and variants.
If you have symptoms, such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, stay home and call your doctor. In fact, the Onondaga County Health Commissioner is urging people to quarantine if they feel any symptoms (see article below). You can also reach out to Upstate University Hospital’s Triage Line at 315.464.3979. Walk-in and drive-thru testing is available at Syracuse Community Health Center, without an appointment. Find more testing info here -- you can even enter your zip code and find the testing location closest to you.
Here are some COVID resources outside of Onondaga county:
Please support our sponsors -- they support the LGBT Community. Find more on the calendar page here.
Oswego County: check here or
call 315-349-3330
Oneida County: check here or call 315- 798-5439
Cortland County: check here or
call 607-753-5036
Cayuga County: check here or
call 315-253-1560
Madison County: check here or
call 315-366-2361
Jefferson County: check here or (315)785-3000
Variants may cause virus to spread more easily from person to person
Multiple COVID-19 variants are circulating globally, and some have found their way to the US. These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. Currently, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness or increased risk of death. However, an increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths. We should be hopeful about news of a new, stronger federal response to COVID-19, but keep wearing those masks, keep social distancing, washing hands, and staying safe. Read more on the variants at the CDC website here and check back, the CDC updates regularly.
News
Link for log-in on calendar page, Second Sunday. Info on raffle tickets here.
Living With Chronic Condtions
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a six-session, peer-led health program for adults 18+ with any ongoing health condition (asthma, COPD, arthritis, etc). CDSMP enhances a person’s ability to manage his/her health and maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle. All class participants receive booklets and supplies via mail. Registration Required. Participate through Zoom on Tuesdays Tuesdays, February 16, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 2021; 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Register Online Here
You can also e-mail
or call (315) 464-8668.
Peer Support and Diabetes Management
Peer Support for Adults with Type Two Diabetes is a six-session, peer-led health program for adults 18+ years of age. Dates: April 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Registration Required. Register Online Here
You can also Or e-mail Livinghealthy@Upstate.edu
or call (315) 464-8668
Subjects covered include: Techniques to deal with symptoms; exercise, healthy eating, medication, working with providers.
Take part in the six-week series workshop from home through Zoom online. All supplies will be mailed to you. You must have internet access to join online.
Two online classes at Upstate
News from the Madison County Office for Aging
Find out about the Tele-Friend program that pairs volunteers with older adults who'd like calls, HICAP for Medicare help, AARP workshops on new car safety tech, the HEAP program that helps with heating costs, and more. Find the Madison County OFA newsletter here.
Medicare info in Cayuga County
The Cayuga County Office for Aging offers complimentary monthly classes to help you make sense of Medicare: plans, part D, EPIC, and a listing of the free and low cost preventive care under Medicare. All classes are virtual: January 15th, 11am-1pm, February 2nd, 12pm-2pm and March 2nd, 1pm-3pm. To register and for more info: 315-253-1226, or visit the website here.
Amanda Gorman: The Hill We Climb
Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb” was a poignant recognition of the pain of America’s past — particularly its most immediate past — and the promise of its future. Read about the words and the young woman who wrote them at Politico here.