Hilary Gold likes to stay updated on her health care options. This is why she regularly attends the Pride Center’s annual Senior Health Expo.

“I find it interesting and informative and I like to know what’s available,” said Gold, 62, an Oakland Park resident.

Gold and her wife of 21 years, Chris, are looking forward to this year’s Expo, Saturday, Oct. 17 at Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors. Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and admission is free.

A retired librarian, Gold says she always learns something from the expo. As a pet owner, she is quick to question the assisted living facilities about regulations.

“I always ask if they are dog friendly, because that is important to me,” she said.

For Bob Gunning, having the opportunity to check his blood pressure is a key part of the expo.

“In my opinion, everybody should be getting their blood pressure checked more often than they do,” said Gunning, 67, of Oakland Park.

A retiree from Connecticut, Gunning said the senior health expo is yet another reason why the Pride Center is heads and shoulders above its competition.

“I’ve been to a lot of other gay community centers across the country and this one is by far the best,” said Gunning, who has lived in South Florida for the last eight years. “They (Pride Center) have the best and most diverse programming I have seen, particularly for seniors.”

Such praise is music to the ears of Bruce Williams, senior services coordinator at the Pride Center.

“We’ve come a long way,” Williams said. “There was a time when we would go out looking for housing for our LGBT seniors and have doors slammed in our face.”

More than 60 providers in the fields of health care, aging and geriatrics are lined up to participate Saturday, said Williams. Broward Health Imperial Point is the expo’s premier sponsor followed by presenting sponsors AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and Marrinson’s Senior Services.

Broward Health’s Man Van will be on site, Williams said, to provide a wide ranging of testing services. Additionally, flu shots will be available and complementary coffee and pastries provided by Stork’s Bakery. To top it all off, the first 300 attendees will be treated to a free lunch. Last year, more than 700 people attended the expo.

For more information, contact Bruce Williams at (954) 463-9005, ext. 109 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.