UK report warns older LGBTQ+ adults face isolation and care barriers

September 20, 2026 at 04:18 AM2 min

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A Centre for Ageing Better report finds older LGBTQ+ adults in England experience poorer health, limited finances, and greater social isolation than the wider older population. The charity warns that without specialist support, many may delay care or hide their identity due to homophobia. Manchester's Kindred House, an LGBTQ+ extra-care housing scheme for over-55s, is set to open next year with 80 apartments.

Key Facts

The Centre for Ageing Better report says older LGBTQ+ people in England face poorer health, more limited finances, and greater social isolation than the wider older population.
Kindred House, a first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+ social housing scheme for over-55s, will open in Manchester next year with 80 self-contained apartments.
Adam Porter of the LGBT Foundation says he has been 'horrified' by stories of carers offering to 'pray for' older LGBTQ+ people regarding their sexuality.
Mindy Meleyal, a 75-year-old lesbian, says people often presume she is straight because of her age and mistake her and her wife for sisters.

Report Findings

The Centre for Ageing Better report highlights that older LGBTQ+ adults in England experience poorer health, more limited finances, and greater social isolation compared to the wider older population. The report warns that without specialist support, this growing demographic could be forced 'back into the closet' when accessing care. It also notes that older LGBTQ+ people may delay getting the care they need because of concerns about homophobia.

Kindred House Scheme

Kindred House is a first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+ social housing scheme for over-55s, set to open in Manchester next year. The scheme, a joint project with the local council, will provide 80 self-contained apartments and communal areas available to the local community. The majority of residents will be LGBTQ+, and the extra-care housing model includes a 24/7 care team with specialist training in LGBTQ+ inclusion. Adam Porter, a housing development manager from the LGBT Foundation charity, hopes the scheme will 'trigger some conversations' about supporting older LGBTQ+ people.

Personal Experiences

Mindy Meleyal, a 75-year-old lesbian, has lived through every major milestone in the modern LGBT rights movement, from decriminalisation in 1967 to the first same-sex marriages in 2014. She says her identity is frequently overlooked due to her age, and people often presume she is straight. Mindy and her wife Linda, together for more than 30 years, are often mistaken for sisters despite their different accents and heights. Porter says it is common for older LGBTQ+ people to hide wedding photos or take down a trans flag when a carer visits their home.