LGBT seniors face many challenges as they age, including discrimination in assisted living and retirement communities. In one case, a senior was forced to take down photos of her partner from her home because the home care attendant she hired figured out she was a lesbian. Thankfully, these incidents are rare.
What is SAGE?
Sage is a common herb that is used for cooking. It is a member of the mint family and has several different varieties. There is culinary sage, which has a strong flavour and is used to make soups and stuffings; pineapple sage, which has a sweet pineapple scent; and tricolour sage which has a mild flavour. Fresh sage can be purchased in the produce section of most grocery stores in bunches or plastic clamshell containers. Dried sage is also available.
Sage is believed to help cleanse a person or space of negative energy and promote healing and wisdom. The ritual of burning sage is known as smudging and has roots in Native American tradition. When smudging your home or body, it is important to have a clear intention of what you are trying to accomplish. This will help focus the effects of the sage and maximize its effectiveness.
