Older adults now represent about 20 percent of the homeless population and, given Medicaid cuts and increasing health care costs, their numbers are projected to grow. Local governments and nonprofits in a growing number of states have developed homeless shelters for older adults and people with chronic health issues (MVPs)–Medically Vulnerable People, reports Aaron Bolton for KFF Health News.
Unlike most shelters, these shelters offer assistance to residents. They provide a range of on-site social and medical services to meet residents’ needs. The goal is to help their residents get back on their feet so that they can live independently.
The MVP shelters hire specialized medical case managers to work on-site. They engage physicians and therapists to visit on a weekly basis. And, they help residents with medication management.
Older adults in need of shelter number close to 150,000 nationwide. Some believe that their numbers could triple over the next five years because housing costs are rising steadily. Health issues often prevent vulnerable Americans from working to cover housing costs.
Local governments and nonprofit organizations in Utah, Florida, Utah and California are leading the way in helping medically vulnerable people secure a safe place to live. Happily, they are seeing success at helping the vast majority of their residents find secure and long-term housing.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Roundup: Housing options for older adults
- Older adults traveling solo
- Community living for people with dementia can have tremendous benefits
- Cohousing: Independence, companionship and community
- Multigenerational family housing can work
