Shelters Evolve to Serve rising Senior Homeless Population
A growing number of seniors are experiencing homelessness, prompting shelters to adapt their services to meet their unique needs. Traditional shelters frequently enough struggle to accommodate older adults with complex medical conditions, sometimes requiring them to leave due to inability to self-care. Though, innovative programs are emerging that prioritize the health and stability of this vulnerable population.
the Road Home’s MVP shelter in Salt Lake City, Utah, is one example. Managed by Baleigh dellos, MVP specifically caters to seniors, including those needing memory care. “We have clients that need memory care also that – maybe they were living independently before, but they were unable to maintain that and got evicted due to dementia or different things like that,” Dellos explained.
The shelter provides complete on-site medical support, including case managers, weekly visits from primary care doctors and therapists, and even private spaces for physical therapy. matt Haroldsen, who manages medical services at MVP, highlights the critical need for medication management. “A lot of what our patients face on the streets is that their medications get jacked when they’re in their camps,” he said. Insulin presents a particular challenge, frequently enough requiring individuals to purchase it on the black market to keep it cold.
Haroldsen emphasizes the impact of stable medication access: “Especially when it comes to mental health, it’s, like, a game changer.”
This model is being replicated in other states facing similar challenges. Nonprofits and local governments in Florida, California, and Arizona are working to build dedicated senior shelters. The National Health care for the Homeless Council stresses that addressing seniors’ medical problems is essential for securing and maintaining permanent housing.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, elder Haven, run by the TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness, has successfully transitioned over 80% of its residents into stable or permanent housing in the past year, according to Jacob Turner of the TaskForce.
The MVP shelter in Salt Lake City is also seeing positive results, having secured permanent housing for 36 seniors so far this year.
Jeff Gregg, 62, is a resident of MVP who exemplifies the program’s success. After struggling with a back injury and opioid addiction, Gregg found himself cycling through homelessness. “Fighting that, having a job, insurance, then losing the job, not having insurance, and then going out to the street. And then I’d just be right back in the same position,” he recounted. he credits MVP with providing a safe environment where he could prioritize recovery. “I was able to get clean. It took me a couple months, but I just kept plucking away,” Gregg said. Now sober, he is scheduled for back surgery, hoping it will enable him to secure employment and an apartment.
(this report comes from NPR’s partnership with Montana Public Radio and KFF health News.)
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