Thank you to all who joined us for today’s #CFHPolicySeminar on Homelessness in Older Age. The insights shared will guide our advocacy for housing and health care solutions that center on dignity and inclusion.

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Cynthia makes an excellent point: We are not a monolith.

We need to focus on the individual. We cannot silo individuals into age groups and assume what they need based solely on their age.

Jessie says we need to follow up with individuals with psychological testing and quantitative data before passing an individual along in the system, particularly to a hospital where they might not get the same support for their needs.

Jessie Schwartz of @nychealthsystem.bsky.social says systems can collaborate with one another better by ensuring all services are provided to individuals at the point of crisis response, referencing a study on cognitive impairment in shelters.

Troy recognized that 60% of people in their medical respite programs go on to access supportive housing. A majority of adults in those programs are 55+.

Older adults still have dreams and hobbies. Occupational therapy can support older adults in pursuing those and fostering a sense of community.

Troy Boyle of the Institute for Community Living points out that many older adults have complex mobility/neurological issues, and discharging to shelter is often not a safe option.

Their medical respite program provides rooms, meals, and around-the-clock care, where they can stay as long as needed.

Paul Freitag of the Westside Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing says they are looking into cluster care; with enough residents who need it, they can coordinate the care of home health aides so they can efficiently be used throughout the day, rather than come for a couple of hours and leave

CFH Board member Cynthia English emphasizes that what makes housing feel dignified in this sector is the recognition of barriers that older adults experiencing homelessness face.

This population needs specified approaches that aren’t available within the traditional shelter system.

In Panel #1, Al reminded us about the many supporting and contributing traumas that contribute to older adults falling into homelessness.

Panel #2 is beginning, where we will focus on concrete, replicable programs aimed at serving older individuals experiencing homelessness.

The number of adults 55+ experiencing homelessness is projected to triple by 2030. Many are entering homelessness for the first time after a medical crisis, loss of a spouse, or the end of an apartment.

Today's #CFHPolicySeminar highlights gaps that exist for older people experiencing homelessness.

Al: “Our only hope against homelessness is prevention.”

We have to prevent people from falling into homelessness. And we can’t carry someone across a bridge that doesn’t exist. It has to be sturdy.

Al Nembhar (of the Health x Housing Lab at NYU Langone) emphasizes that homelessness is a multi-variant and emergent phenomenon.

There is no one cause; there are various supporting and contributing traumas that tear the safety net and plunge someone into homelessness.

Molly highlighted data showing that, of older adults:

> Over 20% had no stable housing
> Over 33% reported accessibility limitations that make it difficult to leave their homes
> Over 40% reported difficulty paying at least one bill (especially rent/mortgage)

Molly also shared that there are 1.8 million older New Yorkers in this city with unique needs that systems need to be responsive to.

She stressed it is not just about finding stable housing, but also about ensuring they have the services they need once in that housing to live with dignity.

Molly Bernstein emphasizes how complex and siloed our systems are, and how we’ve had to build systems to help people navigate them.

She shared the work of the Cabinet for Older New Yorkers, where agencies across the city work to solve unique problems facing older adults with housing insecurity.

Tom Byrne highlighted that this is an issue that extends beyond New York State. This tsunami of older adults entering homelessness is a national issue.

Recent research indicates that of single adults spending a night in an emergency shelter, almost one in three is 55 or older.

Our first panel is about to start! This panel discussion will highlight the systemic and structural reasons why older folks experiencing homelessness are unable to access essential support systems. A huge thank you to our incredible panelists!