Pioneering course addresses ageing and dementia in LGBTQ+ community

Launching in March 2025, it addresses topics such as historical discrimination, unconscious bias and celebrating diversity.

old man sitting on bed
Research shows that LGBTQ+ people affected by dementia do not receive acceptable levels of care.

A pioneering training course from the University of Stirling will equip health and social care providers to meet the unique needs of the ageing LGBTQ+ community. 

The course will give those providing care to older LGBTQ+ individuals an understanding of the issues this population group faces, from feelings of deep mistrust and social isolation to confusion and vulnerability. 

Many of those individuals are pressured to hide their identity in care settings, while a lack of understanding by the institutions and their staff can leave them feeling invisible or misunderstood, say the healthy ageing experts behind the new programme. 

Launching in March 2025, it addresses topics such as historical discrimination, unconscious bias and celebrating diversity. 

David Wilson-Wynne, co-designer of the course and Senior Dementia Consultant at the Dementia Services Development Centre, based at the University of Stirling, said: “Ageing for the LGBTQ+ individual brings unique challenges. A lifetime of marginalisation can create mistrust in healthcare systems, and if they have dementia these feelings can be exacerbated and make them feel even more vulnerable. Some may not even think that their sexual identity is legal, because their memories are of a time when being gay was unlawful.  

“These are all issues we aim to address with the new course, which marks a critical step towards ensuring that ageing LGBTQ+ people receive the compassionate, affirming support they deserve.” 

man with glasses and tie
David Wilson-Wynne
Senior Dementia Consultant
A lifetime of marginalisation can create mistrust in healthcare systems, and if they have dementia these feelings can be exacerbated and make them feel even more vulnerable. Some may not even think that their sexual identity is legal, because their memories are of a time when being gay was unlawful.

Course co-designer John Angel Bond, a PhD student at the University of Stirling who is researching dementia in the LGBTQ+ community, said: “There is a growing body of research to show that LGBTQ+ people affected by dementia do not receive an acceptable level of care. Despite the positive efforts of some organisations, services are still very patchy and unreliable, and certainly not fit for the 21st century. This course is both timely and long overdue.” 

Course co-designer Arlene Bunton, also a PhD student at Stirling, works for independent care sector organisation Scottish Care and recently won a Dementia Care Award for her efforts to promote inclusivity in social care. Arlene created the first Silver Pride festival in Scotland in June 2024, aimed at over-65s who are in care homes or receive social care and identify as LGBTQ+. 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Ageing and Dementia launches in 2025, with dates already available to book in March and June 2025. For more information visit: Addressing the Unmet Needs of Older LGBTQ+ Individuals and Those Living with Dementia