Housing crisis is forcing more seniors into shelters, doctors say

More older adults are becoming homeless in Canada and relying on shelters, straining an already under-resourced system, a group of Toronto doctors says in a new report published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal.More older adults are becoming homeless in Canada and relying on shelters, straining an already under-resourced system, a group of Toronto doctors says in a new report published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal .

Geriatricians classify older adults in the shelter system as aged 50 and over, as they experience the symptoms of aging faster than those who are not homeless, according toThe doctors also cite data from Statistics Canada published last year that found 32 per cent of people using shelters in 2021 were over the age of 50. In 2005, 13.5 per cent of people using shelters were people over age 50.

The city divides older adults in the shelter system into two categories, those over 65 and those between the ages of 45 and 64, said Tanner. About 500 people in Toronto fall into the former group while about 3,000 fall into the latter. The city also told CBC Toronto in an emailed statement that the province has given them $15 million for the current fiscal year to support homelessness services. While they are "grateful" for the support, they said, more connections are needed to provincially run long-term care homes.

Those in their shelter who are older are experiencing dementia and other health issues that their staff are not equipped to deal with, said Wendaferew. Christine Sheppard, a researcher at the Wellesley Institute who specializes in aging, said older adults need many supports in the home as they age, and that gets lost without secure housing. This can include everything from housekeeping, to helping pay bills and medical and mental health assistance, she said.

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