Linked Life Data

12888228

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/12888228

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-7-30
pubmed:abstractText
Since 1980s there is a noticeable change in the homeless population in Western countries. Some researchers titled the change as the "new" homeless that are distinctly different than the "skid row" population described in the past. Among the "new" homeless there are increasing numbers of elderly subjects. The elderly homeless are a fragile and vulnerable group that suffers from high rates of physical and mental problems as well as increased mortality. The aim of the present study was to characterize the "new" elderly homeless. Over a 10-year period each homeless 65 years of age and older was assessed by a psychiatrist. The project was undertaken in Tel-Aviv, Israel, and was feasible due to close co-operation between the Municipal Welfare Department and mental health consultants. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) was the main diagnostic tool. Ninety-eight subjects of 2567 homeless persons located and contacted were elderly (3.8%). Mean age for the elderly sub-group was 71.7+/-5.3 years and the great majority were male 94/98 (95.9%). In 44/98 (44.9%), a formal DSM-IV axis I psychiatric disorder was diagnosed, most common being dementia (15/44) and schizophrenia (15/44). A significant minority of 13/44 (29.5%) were diagnosed and treated prior to becoming homeless. Physical co-morbidity was found in nearly 2/3 subjects. Following intensive case-management by social workers, 35/44 (79.5%) subjects were successfully placed in permanent housing. The main conclusion is that the "new" elderly homeless are typically males suffering from frequent psychiatric morbidity and physical co-morbidity. Intensive case-management succeeded in achieving return to permanent housing in the majority of subjects.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0167-4943
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
37
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
147-55
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Characterizing the elderly homeless: a 10-year study in Israel.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Psychogeriatric, Abarbanel Mental Health Center, 59100 Bat-Yam, Israel. mdybarak@netvision.net.il
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article