Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Canada's aging population is growing, with nearly 23% of citizens expected to be 65 or older by 2030. Unfortunately, many older adults, particularly those experiencing homelessness, face significant challenges in accessing safe and affordable housing. This often leads to poorer health outcomes. Older adults experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of experiencing physical and mental health issues, including frailty, trauma, and depression, yet they often struggle to access appropriate healthcare and supportive services. This research aims to create a new long-term care home (LTCH) model specifically designed for older adults who have experienced homelessness. The model will address both their physical and emotional health needs, including the impact of sexualized violence, which remains a critical but under-researched issue within this population. Through a multi-phase approach, the project will first review existing research on homelessness and sexualized violence among older adults. Then, interviews with homeless older adults and healthcare workers will provide insights into their unique experiences and challenges related to homelessness and sexualized violence. The overall goal is to co-design a compassionate, trauma-informed LTCH model that integrates geriatric care and addresses the complex needs of this vulnerable group, ultimately improving their quality of life and setting a precedent for similar care models across Canada.