Across America, the number of older adults seen in clinics and shelters is increasing. In 2006, 184 HCH grantees reported over 155,000 men and women aged 50 and older (22% of all clients), up from 98,000 in 2002 (18% of all clients served by 152 grantees).1,2 While some of these individuals have long histories of homelessness, a significant proportion are newly homeless. Harsh economic realities have increased the tension between fixed incomes and today’s high costs of housing, food, transportation, and health care. In many cases, homelessness is precipitated by job loss, eviction, or the death of a spouse or other supportive family member before the survivor is eligible for Social Security or Medicare benefits. This issue features HCH providers’ perspectives on mitigating the risks of homelessness faced by older adults.
Healing Hands: Aging on the Streets
Categories:
Clinical Practice, Healing Hands Newsletter, Homeless Services, Older Adults, Special Populations