Gay people ‘at risk of a lonelier old age’

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Ben Summerskill: ‘Thousands of gay people are growing older without the same family and support structures that many straight people enjoy.’ Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Gay men and women in Britain are far more likely to end up living alone and have less contact with family in later life than heterosexual people, according to a groundbreaking report that raises significant questions for how society responds to their needs.

The report, the first of its kind, has implications for GPs, health and social services at a time when Britain’s population is ageing. It is estimated that there are a million lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain over the age of 55.

Read the full article at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/sep/11/gay-people-risk-old-age

Gay people ‘at risk of a lonelier old age’

The full article appeared on p19 of the Main section section of the Observer on. It was published by  on guardian.co.uk at 

 AGEING DIFFERENCES

  •   40% of gay and bisexual men over 55 are single, compared with 15% of heterosexual men.
  • 41% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people over 55 live alone compared with 28% of heterosexual people.
  •  8% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people over 55 see members of their family a few times a week compared with 21% of heterosexual people.
  • 15% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people over 70 work compared with 6% of heterosexual people.
  • 9% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people over 55 have taken drugs within the last year, compared with 2% of heterosexual people.