Who can I turn to? Social networks and the housing, care and support preferences of older lesbian and gay people in the UK

Ralf Lottmann,Andrew King

doi:10.1177/1363460720944588

Abstract

What happens when lesbian and gay people, who are more likely to be childless and single than their heterosexual peers, get older and need support and care? Who can they turn to? In addressing this question, this article draws on data collected as part of a wider project concerning the housing preferences, experiences and concerns of older LGBT people in the United Kingdom. The article explores the social networks that older lesbian and gay people expect to utilise later in life if they require different forms of care. It uses social capital theory and considers the role of ‘families of choice’ in older lesbian and gay people’s lives, questioning whether such bonds may or may not be useful for different forms of care and support older lesbian and gay people may require late in life.

Highlights

Existing evidence suggests that compared to heterosexual people who tend to rely more on their family of origin for help, support and care later in life, lesbian and gay people rely more on a ‘family of choice’, comprised of friends, partners and expartners (Allen and Roberto, 2016; Brennan-Ing et al, 2014; Weeks et al, 2001)
We examine findings concerning their feelings about moving into residential housing with care
In terms of imagining who to turn to informally, if in need of future care and support, it was clear that most survey respondents in the SAFE Housing study felt that they did have people they could turn to, for emotional and practical support/help

Summary

Introduction

Existing evidence suggests that compared to heterosexual people who tend to rely more on their family of origin for help, support and care later in life, lesbian and gay people rely more on a ‘family of choice’, comprised of friends, partners and expartners (Allen and Roberto, 2016; Brennan-Ing et al, 2014; Weeks et al, 2001). What has been under-explored in research so far is the question of who older lesbian and gay people say they will turn to for specific forms of care and support, together with their concerns and preferences regarding the characteristics of the people who undertake this and in what context it will take place. In this article we draw on findings from the Secure, Accessible, Friendly, Equal (SAFE) Housing study, the largest mixed-methods study to date of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people’s housing preferences, concerns and experiences in the United Kingdom (UK). The literature we draw on frequently comes from studies that relate to older LGBT people, we have differentiated lesbian and gay responses from those of bisexual and trans people where possible

Methods

Results

Conclusion