Seniors & Older Adults
A Brief on 2SLGBTQI Realities and Policy in Canada
Every policy issue is a 2SLGBTQI issue.
2SLGBTQI seniors and older adults face unique challenges that are compounded on top of the general difficulties of aging. Historically, 2SLGBTQI seniors and older adults were impacted by employment discrimination, particularly in public service, military, and other sectors, which impacts their financial security and ability to access secure housing (Kenney et al., 2025). This discrimination continues to impact their economic security in older age. Moving forward, barriers across housing, healthcare, and end-of-life wellbeing are significant concerns for 2SLGBTQI seniors and older adults, with many lacking inclusive care options or few care services that are 2SLGBTQI-inclusive. This resource highlights the many experiences 2SLGBTQI individuals have as seniors and older adults in Canada.
Below, we offer an in-depth look at how specific issues impact 2SLGBTQI older adults and seniors. In particular, we highlight 2SLGBTQI seniors’ and older adults’ diverse experiences in:
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Quick Facts
- 17% of seniors and 40% of older renters live in unaffordable housing (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
- 37% of LGBTQI seniors are low-income, relying on CPP and OAS (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
- Many LGBTQI seniors faced past job discrimination, especially in public service and military careers (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
- Securing affordable, inclusive housing is challenging, with discrimination concerns in long-term care (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
- LGBTQI seniors fear being forced back into the closet in long-term care (Flanagan & Pang, 2022).
- Many 2SLGBTQI older adults avoid healthcare due to fear of mistreatment (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
- High rates of social isolation result from many LGBTQI seniors living alone (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
- Concerns over end-of-life decisions include legal protections, power of attorney, and advance care planning (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
- Without traditional family support, many 2SLGBTQI older adults rely on chosen families and community networks (Pang & Maclennan, 2023).
Further Reading on this Topic
The Context of Seniors Issues in Canada, Explained
Seniors in Canada represent a growing and diverse segment of the population, with individuals aged 65 and older making up 18% of the total population in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2024). As life expectancy increases and birth rates decline, the proportion of seniors in Canada is expected to rise.
Aging brings many challenges, such as higher healthcare needs, financial insecurity, and social isolation (Leclerc, 2024). While Canada’s healthcare system provides universal coverage, access to specialized care and long-term care facilities varies greatly across the provinces and territories. Access to some facilities is also based on an individual’s financial stability, creating a barrier in accessing care for many. Many seniors face financial difficulties, particularly for those relying on public pensions like the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted systemic issues in long-term care homes and exacerbated concerns around the state of care for seniors in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2021).
Egale Canada’ Seniors-related Research
- Aging and Living Well Among LGBTQI Older Adults in Canada: Findings from a National Study
- Coming Out and Coming In to Living with Dementia: Enhancing Support for 2SLGBTQI People Living with Dementia and their Primary Unpaid Carers
- Dementia & Advance Care Planning: Context and Considerations for 2SLGBTQI Communities
- 2SLGBTQI People Living with Dementia and Their Unpaid Caregivers: A Package of Guiding Literature and Resources
- Elder Abuse & Financial Abuse: Context and Considerations for 2SLGBTQI Communities
- Fostering Dialogues: An arts-based action research project imagining futures of community-based care with homecare personal support workers and LGBTQ older adults
- Aging with Affirmation: An Exploration of the Healthcare and Social Service Experiences and Needs of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Older Adults in Canada
- Housing Challenges, Barriers, and Realities Among 2SLGBTQI People in Canada: A Literature Review
Others in this Series
This series A Brief on 2SLGBTQI Realities and Policy in Canada raises awareness on how key topics across Canada impact 2SLGBTQI individuals and communities in both diverse and intersecting ways. This information is broken down and offered here to support more engagement and encourage 2SLGBTQI communities to participate in these issues that impact us all. Each brief aims to empower 2SLGBTQI communities and allies to step forward and realize our society’s potential, together.