Articles for the Topic "Elderly"

Demographics of Homelessness Series: The Rising Elderly Population

2010-05-06T01:30:49

This paper provides an assessment of the recent and projected changes in homelessness among the elderly and assesses the ability of public affordable housing programs to handle the projected growth in elderly persons at-risk of housing instability and homelessness. (authors)

Differences in Health Status between Older and Younger Homeless Adults

2010-06-15T07:30:40

This article looks at the concept that homeless individuals are thought to age prematurely, with homeless persons in their fifties being in similar health to adults over age 65 in the general population.

Ending Elder Homelessness: The Effectiveness of Service-Enriched Housing

2010-05-05T07:25:46

As the US population ages, the numbers of elderly experiencing homelessness is expected to increase. This report describes the model of service-enriched housing for formerly homeless elders, developed by Hearth in Boston, MA. Hearth combines outreach, case management, and service-enriched housing to meet the unique needs of elders who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. The goal of this report is to not only shine light on the complexities and challenges of elder homelessness, but to offer a conceptual framework for ending elder homelessness in our state. This report, as well as the research informing this brief, was supported by a generous grant from the Boston Foundation. (Authors)

Homeless Older Adults Strategic Plan

2008-05-27T12:04:59

Shelter Partnership developed this plan for homeless older adults under both a moral imperative to address the rising needs of a population that has been historically neglected, and also as a means to challenge our public systems of care and other concerned stakeholders to adopt a strategic approach to address the housing, service and health care needs of homeless older adults in an integrated fashion. Our contribution may rest with the finding that homelessness among the 3,000 to 4,000 older adults (62 and up) in Los Angeles County can be solved, as well as the novelty of describing their characteristics. For that alone, there is value in “uncovering” the identity of a group that has never before been the focus of public policy in Los Angeles County. Yet, this plan has merits that reach farther than the data. This plan is the first synthesis of information from site visits across the country, the feedback and perceptions of a multitude of stakeholders responsible for programs that serve this population, and more importantly, the opinions and experiences of homeless older adults themselves. (Shelter Partnership, Inc.)

Homeless over 50 in Chicago: The Graying of Chicago’s Homeless Population

2010-05-06T01:48:57

This study, funded by the Retirement Research Foundation, was undertaken in response to reports from homeless service agencies that this cohort of people was growing. Starting in 2005, agencies including Matthew House, Featherfist and Deborah’s Place reported a fast-growing number of people aged 50-64 using homeless services, and that they seemed to both share issues with the rest of the homeless population and face circumstances unique to their age and stage of life. (Authors)

Lifeline for Elders Living on the Edge: How Elder Support Programs Compare to Living Costs

2010-05-06T01:59:35

This report examines the array of federal and state support programs for elders in Massachusetts. It asks how well the lifelines - the support programs that have been set up to help low- and modest-income elders meet basic needs when costs exceed incomes – work in today’s economy. Which programs are serving elders well? Have they kept pace with inflation? Which lifelines are frayed, or about to rupture? Do seniors know about the programs, and use them when needed? (Authors)