Support when facing challenging circumstances
As you age, it can be challenging to deal with loss of loved ones, leading to increased loneliness. It can also be a time in which individuals may wish to plan for changes in life circumstances, ranging from informal conversations to creating formal legal documents.
Unfortunately, some older people experience pressure or mistreatment, with LGBTI older people facing particular vulnerabilities. There is support available for people who may be experiencing this.
Connection, bereavement and loneliness
As you get older, you may find that your friendship groups get smaller, you go out less, communicate less, feel less confident about meeting new people or trying new things. For more information about how to remain connected and to deal with experiences of loneliness, please read our "Staying Connected" information sheet.
At the same time, as some people grow older it is inevitable that they will experience the death of a loved one. Losing a partner can be one of the most difficult things that someone may ever have to face. For many older LGBTI people, families of origin are accepting and supportive of their relationships. But that’s not always true. Families may have been hostile to the relationship. For more information about how to navigate the challenges of loss and bereavement, please read our "Bereavement and Loneliness" information sheet.
Staying safe
Some older people find themselves in situations which are not safe due to mistreatment or abuse by people around them. This is sometimes referred to as elder abuse. Elder abuse is defined as an act which causes harm to an older person.
Elder abuse is usually carried out by a trusted person. This can be a partner, a family member, a friend, or a carer. These people are perpetrators of elder abuse. Elder abuse can be financial, emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual. In order to be able to stay in their home, for example, some older people are subject to mistreatment by someone in their life. LGBTI older people are particularly vulnerable to elder abuse related to sexual orientation, gender identity or bodily diversity.
There is support for people who may be experiencing mistreatment or elder abuse. For more information about these supports, please read our "Elder Abuse" information sheet.
End-of-life planning
Older LGBTI people have often had to challenge expectations about who they are and how they should live, so have developed clear views about what matters to them. As you grow older, it’s important to plan your future to help you live the happiest, most fulfilled life possible. Having the right documentation in place is part of that planning.
To help navigate the range of options, please read our "Future Planning" page.
