Homeless aged numbers growing and need different services.

TORONTO -- The growing number of homeless seniors need different services, including geriatric psychiatry, as offered at homeless shelters than those available to their younger counterparts says a recent article published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

The study, Old and Homeless: A Review and Survey of Older Adults Who Use Shelters in an Urban Setting, which was conducted by Vicky Stergiopoulos, notes that although seniors account for only two per cent of the homeless using hostels in Toronto their numbers are growing and they tend to stay in the system longer while their exit to stable housing has been lower than expected. As well, senior men tend to be repeat users of shelters.

In addition, the health status of homeless seniors is worse than that of elderly persons living in the general population with single, senior homeless women displaying a higher prevalence of mental disorders than men. Problem behaviours also differ between homeless men and women. Behaviour problems for homeless men 65 years or older most commonly stem from memory impairment, verbal aggression and alcohol abuse while the women are more likely to display memory impairment, paranoia and depression.

Homeless people aged 65 years or less are more likely to drink and use street drugs while those who were 65 years or older are more likely to have memory difficulties, a concurrent physical illness, restricted mobility, difficulty with self care and difficulty planning day time activities.

The study resulted from a review of available literature and information through a Web search, demographic data from the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department in Toronto and a survey questionnaire distributed to 11 Toronto hostel directors with eight of the hostel directors completing the survey.

The hostel directors cited the need for more on-site psychiatric services than the existing services for the homeless that are currently offered in targeted community health centres. As well, the need for staff training regarding seniors' age-specific needs was also cited.