Grant: Operating Grant: SPOR iCT Rewarding Success - Travel Awards - NL

With 25 years of experience in providing accommodation for people with complex mental health needs, Stella's Circle has provided community support services to clients of supportive housing in their own homes. Funded through multiple sources (e.g., federal funds, the provincial home support program, private donations) Stella's Circle has maintained clients, who may have been otherwise homeless, in stable supportive housing rather than institutions. However, a noticeable trend among its clientele has been identified, namely, that the clients (tenants) are aging and their physical and mental health is declining. Through a research study, it was evident that tenants were experiencing physical challenges limiting their mobility which exacerbated their mental health issues (Hanrahan, 2017). As well, tenants had tenuous connections with their families of origin, and placed high value in the connections that they had within Stella's Circle and wished to age in this community (i.e., the Stella's Circle community). Further, as tenants age, Stella's Circle has encountered a gap in the community care system, and the personal care home sector which has limited capacity to work with this clientele. The proposed research is to explore a new model of housing that will identify staff models, skills, and physical infrastructure necessary to help this cohort of older adults with complex mental health issues. Ultimately, this cohort will 'age in place' in their home in their community.