Health
Seniors have multiple and specific health needs and gender and sexually diverse individuals also have their specific health needs such as Trans* health, HIV impacts and mental health issues; DSS is committed to exploring the intersection of these needs to determine the unique health needs of our 2SLGBTQI+ community members. We advocate for these needs to be met through policy and procedures developed by Government, Health Authority and seniors’ service providers. We also aim to inform through the Dignity Senior Society Health Blog, providing information to share what we know and make it available to all.
Useful Health Resources
(Click on the blue ‘link’ wording to connect to the resource website or information sheet)
Women
DSS is disappointed by the continued lack of research and service provision of GSD women in BC. We believe that their are specific health disparities in GSD women’s communities that need addressing and we are advocating for improvements in this area of health in BC.
In 1999 the BC Ministry of Health released a paper on Lesbian Health- https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/1999/caring.pdf
Rainbow Health Ontario https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/resources/healthy-relationships-for-lesbians-information-and-resources/ has done some specific work on Lesbian and GSD women’s health.
If you are lucky enough to be in the Victoria area you may want to connect with the Victoria Lesbian Seniors Care Society - https://vlscs.ca/
Trans* Health
Trans Care BC http://www.phsa.ca/our-services/programs-services/trans-care-bc# - a service of the Provincial Health Authority which aims to support the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province. This site allows you to enter your postal code to find services near you. You can find specific information for patients and potential patients here.
Men
Health Initiative for Men https://checkhimout.ca/- MISSION: Strengthening the health and well-being of gay men. VISION: Gay men building healthy lives together. VALUES: We value:
gay men’s ability to make informed decisions.
the role of our communities. We value scientific research.
a non-judgmental, sex-positive and strengths-based philosophy.
a comprehensive approach to healthy living.
capacity building and collaboration.
General 2SLGBTQ+ Seniors Health
Accessing Health Services Not Covered By MSP - A Resource Guide for BC Seniors - the Jewish Seniors Alliance
https://jsalliance.org/advocacy/accessing-health-services-not-covered-by-msp/
Simon Fraser University Department of Gerontology, headed by professor Gloria Gutman, has done some excellent work around LGBT2SQ Seniors and has an excellent resource page here.
Egal (Canada) https://egale.ca/seniors/ - creates some excellent resources. DSS hopes to work more closely with Egal to produce BC GSD Senior’s specific resources.
Government of Canada - many useful resources for Canadian Seniors. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/seniors/forum.html
BC Seniors Advocate Reports - https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/reports/
Seniors’ Mental Health and Substance Use - MindMapBC helps you find services that are affirming of 2S/LGBTQ+ people + here are some general resources
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC - Phone Lines:
Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234
Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
Sunshine Coast/Sea to Sky: 1-866-661-3311
HIV, HepC and Sexual Health Resources - not specific to seniors, but good information for men, women and trans* and GSD identified individuals. AIDS Vancouver; Positive Living BC; Community Based Research Centre
Aging with HIV - the University of California San Francisco list some excellent articles and resources here.
Subsidies for rent:
BC Housing offers the The Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER Program). It offers cash payments to subsided rents for mid to low income seniors over 60. To learn about the conditions that apply or to fill out an application visit [external link] https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs/SAFER
Cultural / Religious Resources
Intersecting cultures create some specific requirements and considerations. We aim to respect these intersections by ensuring we have diverse board members that can connect with communities and give voice to their needs. We also encourage the development of culturally relevant information for all 2SLGBTQI+ community members. Here are some useful resources:
JQT Vancouver - Jewish Queer and Trans Resources (see their excellent new resouces for seniors below)
Sher Vancouver - a registered charity for queer South Asians and allies in Metro Vancouver.
2Spirt BC - Indigenous Resources
Salaam Canada - National volunteer-run LGBTQ Muslim organization
THE BC JEWISH QUEER & TRANS SENIORS RESOURCE GUIDE
Introduction to THE BC JEWISH QUEER & TRANS SENIORS RESOURCE GUIDE
This video is an introduction to the BC Jewish Queer and Trans Seniors Resource Guide. You can go straight to the guide by visiting the [external website] here: https://www.jqtvancouver.ca/jqt-seniors-initiative
