People experiencing homelessness are some of the most disadvantaged within our society. Homelessness is associated with extremely poor health outcomes with mortality rates 3–6 times those of the general population. Homelessness in the UK has been steadily rising throughout the past decade – having more than doubled since 2010.
When in their 30s, 40s, and 50s people who are homeless often experience health problems similar to much older people. Hostels and health services are not set up to deal with this.
This research, conducted in partnership with Pathway and researchers at the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department and Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care at UCL, involved the first exploration of premature aging among people experiencing homelessness in the UK. It involved a detailed geriatric health assessment of residents at a hostel in London.