UMMS Affiliation

Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

Faculty Advisor

Carole Upshur

Date

5-2-2012

Document Type

Poster

Medical Subject Headings

Homeless Persons; Health Status; Aging; Aged; Population Dynamics

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Epidemiology | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Health Care for the Homeless medically cares for and collects data about homeless patients.

Objectives: To study demographics, health care needs unique to the rapidly growing elderly female population.

Methods: De-identified surveys completed at 300 national clinics

Results: Increase in elderly females. Improved illness, cancer screen, but still below national averages.

Conclusion: Subset is susceptible to age, gender-related disease, mental health illness, lack of coping skills and poor resources.

Comments

Medical student Jennifer Aborn Russo participated in this study as part of the Senior Scholars research program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.