Love later life

The charity Age UK offers tailored advice and support for the older LGBT+community

Older LGBT+ people have lived through a time when homosexual sex was illegal and in which same sex relationships were stigmatised. While the legal position has improved,the impact of a lifetime of hostility about your sexual preference or gender identity means that there is still work to be done to ensure that older LGBT+ people have the support and services they need.

Age UK knows that navigating later life can be tough whether you’re heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. However, some matters may need special consideration, especially as older LGBT+ people may lack personal support. For example, research shows that older LGBT+ people are especially vulnerable to loneliness as they are more likely to be single, living alone, and having lower levels of contact with relatives. These feelings can be reinforced during the festive season, when seeing other families and friends get together can be hard for those spending Christmas alone.

That’s why Age UK offers tailored advice and support including a recently revamped guide Lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, focusing on a broad range of issues that may affect older LGBT+ people. Covering topics such as marriage and civil partnership, protection against prejudice, mental health, staying connected, and financial and legal issues, the guide is free to download at ageuk.org.uk/lgbt or by calling the Age UK free Advice Line on 0800 169 6565.

Open 365 days a year, the Advice Line offers confidential assistance on a whole range of issues. Age UK can also signpost older people, or their friends and family, to local support networks and services in their area.

For more information visit ageuk.org.uk/noone