Older and Younger Homeless Clients: Differences in Psychosocial Complexity and Shelter Stay Length

Background: While previous studies have established heterogeneity among the homeless population, better evidence is needed to address the unique psychosocial and economic challenges of the older homeless. This paper aims to advance knowledge by focusing specifically on older men using a large urban shelter for the first time in old age. The paper examines four main research questions:

 1.        What is the psychosocial profile of older men using a homeless shelter for the first time?

2.         Do older adult clients stay longer in the shelter than younger clients?

3.         What  psychosocial factors predict length of shelter stay for older men?

4.         How might length of stay be affected by different psychosocial interventions?

Methods:

Data was collected in partnership with a large urban homeless shelter. The sample included first time male shelter users of all ages (N=1214). Those over 50 years of age were considered older (n=301). The dependent variable was number of days stayed in the shelter and ranged from 1 to 180. Psychosocial variables included demographic variables (age, language, education, employment) and eight items from the Arizona Self-Sufficiency Matrix (SSM): income, mental health, substance use, life skills, safety, community involvement, mobility, and legal. Three ordinary least squares linear regression models were conducted to predict length of stay in the shelter. Models were built hierarchically. To understand how length of stay would be influenced by different interventions (research question 4), we drew 1,000 simulated sets of parameters from the sampling distribution defined as a multivariate normal distribution. For each of the simulated sets of coefficients, we calculated first differences for each SSM variable.

Results:

The older group had statistically significant longer stay histories than the younger group F(1, 212) = 38.21. Additionally, the psychosocial profiles of the older sample were more complex than the younger sample. The final OLS model predicting length of stay among the older group was statistically significant, R² = .15, F(5, 276) = 3.65, p < .01. Mobility issues and presence of legal problems were negatively associated with length of stay, t(276) = -8.85, p < .05, 95% CI -34.92, -0.08,], and t(276) = -2.98, p < .01, 95% CI -37.84, -7.71], respectively. Those who felt unsafe were likely to stay 17 days longer in the shelter t (276) = 2.09, p < .05, 95% CI [0.97, 33.64]. To assess sensitivity, a separate model was run with the same variables among the younger under 50 group. We report the results of our simulations in first differences. For example, holding other variables at their average values, the first difference between clients with legal and problems and without legal problems was 24 days 95% CI [7.59, 38.44].

Conclusion: This study provides valuable information for social work policy and practice by identifying the psycho-social issues faced by older homeless men using a shelter for the first time. By noting robust associations between specific psycho-social variables and length of shelter stay the study also identifies psychosocial issues that may be best addressed within and beyond the shelter environment.