Homeless Seniors Age Faster, Die Sooner than Housed Counterparts

[Lady Freedom Returns]

A life on the street is difficult no matter who you are. To be over age 50 and homeless, however, presents a whole different set of challenges and perils. It’s fairly common for the housed elderly to live in assisted housing or have at-home care. Not only are elderly homeless individuals lacking that extra care—they fend completely for themselves.

Social support programs tend to address the well-known risk factors for homelessness. These include substance abuse and mental health problems. To help this fast-rising population, we need programs that address concerns specific to aging. This article will highlight a few of the additional hardships the aging homeless population face.

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[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I suspect that homeless people of all ages

die faster than those with homes.

I do some volunteer work at a local homeless shelter, and the people there tend to look at least twenty years older than they are.

[mopinko]

2. housing first is proving to be a very effective approach.

the university of chicago hospitals invested money in getting their "frequent flyers" into housing as a way to save themselves money on their many visits to the er.
it has proven to be extremely cost effective.

you just cant overcome trauma when your daily life is traumatic. you need a safe place to heal your body and mind. and spirit.

[2naSalit]

3. Been there, done that...

probably wouldn't have made it this far if I hadn't been able to get indoors when I did. For me it was nearly a year that felt like ten.

[lunatica]

4. Water is wet.

[misanthrope]

5. Over 50 is "elderly?"

Granted it would be pretty old to be on the streets but no age is a good age to be on the streets.

[Ron Obvious]

6. Hardly surprising

The homeless guys I know from my AA meeting look 10-20 years older than their biological age. It's not the years; it's the mileage.