Order #: 15210

Authors:

Bephage, G.

Title:

Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Older Homeless People.

Source:

Nursing Times 102(10): 38-41, 2006. (Journal Article: 5 Pages)

Abstract:

This article raises awareness of the multiple problems and needs of older homeless people, and highlights the role of healthcare professionals in meeting such needs. Older homeless people have complex needs that are unmet because of their lifestyle. Consequently their general health may suffer, which has implications for health workers (author). 

Order #: 15207

Authors:

Hahn, J.A, Kushel, M.B., Bangsberg, D.R., Riley, E., Moss, A.R.

Title:

The Aging of the Homeless Population: Fourteen-Year Trends in San Francisco.

Source:

Journal of General Internal Medicine 21(7): 775-778, 2006. (Journal Article: 3 Pages)

Abstract:

This study's objective was to examine trends in the age, housing, health status, health service utilization, and drug use of the homeless population over a 14-year period. The authors studied 3,534 literally homeless adults recruited at service providers in San Francisco in 4 waves: 1990-1994, 1996-1998, 1999-2000, and 2003. The median age of the homeless increased from 37 to 46 over the study waves, at a rate of 0.66 years per calendar year. The median total time homeless increased from 12 to 39.5 months. Emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and chronic health conditions increased. The homeless population is aging by about two thirds of a year every calendar year, consistent with trends in several other cities. It is likely that the homeless are static, aging population cohort. The aging trends suggest that chronic conditions will become increasingly prominent for homeless health services. This will present challenges to traditional approaches to screening, prevention, and treatment of chronic diseases in an aging homeless population (authors).