Jun 20, 2025

At Tunstall Healthcare, our mission is simple: to empower people to live independently, safely, and with dignity, regardless of age, background, or identity.

This Pride Month, we want to spotlight a group that is often overlooked: LGBTQ+ people aged 65 and over. Many have spent a lifetime facing discrimination, often resulting in isolation, limited access to care, and hesitation to ask for help. Now, as they age, the question we must ask is: how can we ensure they feel safe, supported, and included?

The answer lies in how we design and deliver technology-enabled care.

A Lifetime of Inequality

In countries across the UK, Europe, the Nordics, Australia and New Zealand, many older LGBTQ+ people face unique challenges as they age. Often living alone, without children or extended family to rely on, they are more likely to encounter poorer health outcomes — the result of long-standing barriers to inclusive and equitable healthcare.

Too often, older LGBTQ+ people feel they need to “go back into the closet” when receiving care, worried that their identity won’t be respected. That’s something we all have a duty to change.

Technology That Empowers Everyone

At Tunstall, we believe technology should be an equaliser, not a divider. Telecare doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t judge who you are, who you love, or how you identify. It’s simply there to help keep you safe, connected and independent.

Here’s how:

1. Telecare that Meets You Where You Are
   From fall detectors to emergency response services, Tunstall telecare solutions provide peace of mind to anyone living alone or managing complex health needs. 
   Our systems are discreet, customisable and available 24/7, offering reassurance without intrusion.
   
   
2. Person-Centred, Identity-Affirming Support
   We work with care providers to ensure our services reflect the individual needs of every person. That means recognising chosen families, using preferred names and pronouns, and respecting privacy. Technology is only as inclusive as the people and systems behind it, which is why we focus on training, awareness, and designing with equity in mind.
   
   
3. Bridging Isolation with Connection
   Technology can also connect. Our digital tools from video check-ins to social engagement platforms, help reduce loneliness and support mental wellbeing. For LGBTQ+ older adults who may be isolated, these tools can be a lifeline to chosen communities and peer networks.

Inclusion is Not Optional

For us at Tunstall, inclusion isn’t an add-on. It’s built into everything we do, from how we develop our solutions to how we support our partners in delivering care. Our vision of proactive, preventative, and personalised care must be inclusive to be truly effective.

That means listening, learning, and continually evolving. It means recognising that identity shapes experience, and that every person, regardless of their background, deserves the same level of respect, support, and opportunity.

Because Better Is Never Done

Pride Month is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder: we must build systems of care that are safe, inclusive, and empowering for everyone. At Tunstall, we’re proud that our technology doesn’t discriminate; it enables. It supports. And it empowers.

Let’s continue designing a world where everyone can age on their own terms with pride.