Social network proud to serve Niagara LGBT seniors

Program aims to ensure fair treatment for all

By Nate Smelle
Source: The Voice of Pelham

In any community he’s lived in, Port Colborne resident Dick Moore has recognized a need among elderly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) people to connect with the health care services available to them.

Acknowledging the demand for such a social network in Niagara, he decided to act. With the intention of improving the quality of life of LGBT seniors throughout the region, last December he formed Niagara’s first Seniors’ Pride Network (SPN). Moore explained that the network brings together aging LGBT people with representatives from service provider organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Home Help, Homes for the Aged, long-term care retirement homes, and other organizations that are trained to accommodate the specific needs of the LGBT community.

Unfortunately, many service providers catering to seniors in Niagara are not prepared to assist this growing faction of the local population.

“We have to start where the need is,” he said.

“From our experience, and from what our service providers are telling us, the greatest need here is for training and for education. LGBT people need to know of the safe and accessible services and programs that are available.”