HOMELESS
What is the definition of homelessness?
The situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it
Approximately how many people are on the streets or in shelters per night?
35,000 or 1 in 930
Reason 1 prompt: Weather
Hypothermia
What are some common infestations?
Lice
Scabies
Bedbugs
What demographic is most affected by homelessness?
Single males ages 25-55
Define Unsheltered
Living in the streets or places that are not intended for human habitation
Approximately how many people per year experience homelessness?
235,000
Reason 2 prompt: Altered
Intoxication
alcohol most common
most common drugs - cocaine and marijuana
What is another term for Athlete's Foot?
Tinea Pedis
What are some barriers to recieving health care?
Lack of health card
Can't make or keep appointments
Poor continuity of care
Competing priorities
Obtaining prescriptions
Limited primary care
Define Emergency Sheltered
Living in overnight emergency shelters
1. Poor physical/ mental health
2. Lack of employment
3. Lack of income
4. Lack of housing
Reason 3 prompt: Trauma
Traffic accidents - pedestrian vs vehicle
What diseases are the homeless population more prone to contracting?
Communicable diseases and high STD rates
5x more likely and for a longer duration
Define Provisionally Accommodated
Temporary accommodations ie. couch surfing, incarcerated, hospitalized
"hidden homeless"
What is the root cause of homelessness?
Poverty
Reason 4 prompt: Psyche
Mental illness
Psychotic episodes
Suicidal ideations
What are some of the chronic conditions that are present among the homeless population?
COPD
Seizures
Musculoskeletal conditions
HTN
Diabetes
What is the pilot program that began in 2015 in Ottawa?
Targeted Engagement and Diversion (TED)
Define At Risk of Homelessness
Not homeless but could be soon due to many factors
What is the difference between chronic and episodic homelessness? And how does this impact the resources?
Chronic -- Long-term
Episodic -- Off and On
Resource allocation -- chronic forms smaller % of overall homelessness but uses more than half of available emergency shelter space
Reason 5 prompt: Mike Tyson (include statistics)
injuries and assaults
40% have been assaulted
21% of women have been SAed
Oral/dental health
What groups in Canada are vulnerable to homelessness?
Mental health issues
Youths/teens
Abuse victims
Substance abuse issues
Indigenous
Low-income workers
Immigrants/refugees
Seniors
2SLGBTQIA+ folks – especially in the youth category as well