A Literature Review of Homelessness and Aging: Suggestions for a Policy and Practice-Relevant Research Agenda

Abstract

RÉSUMÉLe sans-abrisme chez les personnes âgées est une préoccupation croissante à travers le Canada et devrait augmenter avec le changement démographique (Crane & Warnes, 2010 ; Culhane, Métraux, Byrne, Stino, et Bainbridge, 2013 ). Pourtant, les connaissances actuelles, les politiques et les pratiques concernant le sans-abrisme ont tendance largement de se concentrer sur des populations plus jeunes. De même, la recherche et les politiques sur le vieillissement en général négligent le sans-abrisme. Les réponses au problème de sans-abrisme chez les personnes âgées doivent répondre aux besoins complexes liés à la santé, la sécurité du revenu et le logement. Basé sur un examen exhaustif de la littérature, cet article présente les domaines de recherche afi n d'éclairer les politiques, les stratégies et les services pour les divers groupes des aînés sans-abri. Nous clarifi ons les intersections du vieillissement et du sans-abrisme; examinons les statistiques pertinentes, y compris la prévalence estimée; discutons des voies et des variations de l'expérience; et determinons les lacunes dans les connaissances. Nous concluons par un appel à un programme de recherche inclusive qui aidera à créér des politiques et des pratiques visant à réduire et fi nalement à éliminer le sans-abrisme chez les personnes âgées au Canada. ABSTRACTHomelessness among older people is a growing concern across Canada and is expected to rise with demographic change (Crane & Warnes, 2010 ;Culhane, Metraux, Byrne, Stino, & Bainbridge, 2013 ). Yet current knowledge, policies, and practices on homelessness largely focus on younger populations. Likewise, research and policies on aging typically overlook homelessness. Responses to homelessness among older people must address complex needs related to health, income security, and housing. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this article outlines the existing and needed research with regards to homelessness among older people. We clarify the intersections of aging and homelessness; review the relevant statistics, including estimated prevalence; discuss pathways and variations in experience; and identify gaps in knowledge. We conclude with a call for an inclusive research agenda that will help build policies and practices to reduce and ultimately to eliminate homelessness among older people in Canada. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this article sets the stage for a research agenda that will inform national and provincial strategies; policies in housing, health, and social care; and community services for Canada's older homeless population. After a brief comment on homelessness in Canada, we clarify the intersections of aging and homelessness and sketch out the existing knowledge that can be used to counter homelessness. Drawing on international and Canadian research, we review terminology, defi nitions, and distinctions in the literature; available statistics and the estimated prevalence of homelessness in Canada; pathways into homelessness in later life; and examples of heterogeneous ...

A phenomenological exploration of the lived experiences and human and social capital among older adults using emergency shelters

“…These themes support the perception that homelessness is a phenomenon that individuals impose upon themselves and often ignores systemic factors (e.g., limited affordable housing) that contribute to homelessness (Johnson, Freels, Parsons & Vangeest, 1997;Padgett, Henwood, Abrams, & Drake, 2008). Often, individual pathway literature has a heavy emphasis on substance abuse; however, there is much debate over which comes first, substance abuse as a precursor to homelessness or substance abuse as a consequence of homelessness (Grenier et al, 2016). For example, an empirical study conducted by Johnson and Chamberlain (2008) studied a sample population of 4,291 young and older individuals experiencing homelessness in Melbourne, Australia.…”

“…It has been estimated that 50% of adults experiencing homelessness are between the ages of 50 and 64 years (Brown et al, 2016;Gonyea, Mills-Dick, & Bachman, 2010). Among this subpopulation, longer time periods of homelessness have significant health implications (Grenier et al, 2016;Grenier, Barken, Sussman, Rothwell, & Lavoie, 2013;Wong & Piliavin, 2001). Specifically, shelter use and/or living in the elements (unsheltered) accelerates the aging process 15 to 20 years among older adults, hence the seemingly premature classification of aging among older adults that normally describes individuals 65 years of age and over (Goldberg, Lang, & Barrington, 2016;Shinn et al, 2007).…”

“…Human and social capital are empirically linked to improving health and wellness (Bleakley, 2010;Giordano & Linstrom, 2011). The absence of both can complicate the ability to remove oneself from less desirable living situations (Grenier et al, 2016).…”

“…1. Homeless older adults: Individuals between the ages of 50 and 64 years who are experiencing homelessness in a shelter or living outside in the elements (Grenier et al, 2016).…”

“…Older adults experiencing homelessness have unique needs compared to younger individuals who are experiencing homelessness (Gonyea et al, 2011). Their health and well-being are highly susceptible to impairment due to the uncertainty of their living environments (e.g., shelter use or living in the elements; Grenier et al, 2016). It is estimated that the prevalence of depression among all subpopulations of individuals experiencing homelessness is between 40 and 80%, which is twice the rate among populations not experiencing homelessness.…”