Aging With Dignity: 2SLGBTQI+ Seniors in British Columbia

Executive Summary

Dignity Seniors Society of Vancouver (DSS) is a 10-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to providing tailored information and programming for 2SLGBTQI+ seniors and seniors’ service providers in British Columbia, with a focus on health, housing, community building and end-of-life planning/finances. In 2022, DSS sponsored a needs assessment to document current needs of 2SLGBTQI+ seniors in British Columbia. Individuals who were 55 years or older, lived in British Columbia, and identified as part of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities were invited to participate in interviews or an online survey. A total of 51 individuals participated in one-on-one interviews between January and September 2022, and 115 individuals completed an online survey between September and December 2022. The findings presented in this report reflect the perspectives of the participants and survey respondents; they are not a demographic representation of the 2SLGBTQI+ senior population of British Columbia. Interviews identified three prominent clusters of concern: health and health care; loss of mobility and independence compromising the ability to age in place; and loneliness, social isolation, and lack of community. Three sub-themes consisted of access to culturally competent and safe long-term care; access to safe and affordable housing; and concern about long-term financial resources. Survey responses reflected a need for trained, affordable, respectful home support services to age in place and nursing homes, care homes, assisted living facilities and housing communities dedicated to 2SLGBTQI+ seniors and perhaps their allies. The survey responses also emphasized the need for access to health care, especially 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive health care and the need for social connections and a community network. The Board of Directors of Dignity Seniors Society generated 25 recommendations in the areas of governmental responsibility, training and education, social inclusion, and longterm care/housing based upon the findings of this needs assessmen