91泡芙

Walsh, J., Carter, R., Sussman, T., Bosma, H., & Canham, S. L. (2025, October). Policy and practices in palliative care for older people experiencing homelessness [paper presentation]. Canadian Association on Gerontology 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, Montr茅al, QC, Canada.

Abstract

Older people experiencing homelessness are often excluded from competent palliative care. While there is a small but growing network of Canadian programs aimed at supporting the end-of-life care needs of older people experiencing homelessness, little is known about the barriers, solutions, and innovations required to improve the delivery of competent and inclusive palliative care services to the growing number of older homeless people who will require such support.  To address this gap, we conducted a content analysis of 75 Canadian palliative care and homelessness policy documents, and an environmental scan of practices consisting of interviews at eight programs across Canada with specific mandates to provide end-of-life care to older people experiencing homelessness.  Our findings affirm the invisibility of end-of-life care in Canadian policy frameworks in the homelessness sector, highlight the unique bereavement needs of older people experiencing homelessness, and illuminate how practices created a sense of belonging at end-of-life. More specifically, while locations for end-of-life care varied, relational practices such as trauma informed approaches, harm reduction, and community collaboration, physical space such as smoking patios, and access to cultural resources such as Indigenous medicines appeared to work together to create meaningful spaces for populations typically excluded from palliative care. This presentation will include recommendations to expand the scope and breadth of policy attention and service provision in this critical area.