SRFP020: Characteristics and Priorities of Patients Temporarily-Housed in Project RoomKey

Kylie Sloan, MPH, MSW; Alexis Coulourides Kogan, PhD, MS; Jodie Guller, MD, MPH; Corinne Feldman, PA-C

Abstract

Context: Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness experience higher rates of disease burden, limited access to healthcare, and inability to abide by COVID-19 public health recommendations (i.e. handwashing, stay-at-home-orders), leaving them at significant risk for COVID-19 infection and complications. Objective: To describe a cohort of unsheltered homeless from Los Angeles County participating in Project RoomKey (PRK). Study Design: Case series Setting: PRK temporarily housed individuals in hotels/motels due to COVID-19 pandemic. Participants eligible if unhoused and: age 65+, had underlying medical conditions, or were medically compromised. Sample of 35 patients provided primary care by USC Street Medicine at single PRK site from July-September 2020. Sample comprised 62.9% male, 54.3% age 50+, 40% Hispanic/Latinx, 40% White, and 94.3% English-speaking. Population Studied: Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness most likely to need hospitalization or critical care if infected with COVID-19. Study patients referred to street medicine when unmet health care needs identified or medical care requested by patient or PRK staff. Overall sample of n=35. Instrument: HOUSED BEDS+ clinical tool for taking history on unsheltered homeless patients. Results: Participants were asked to respond about their lives prior to entering PRK. All patients had ≥1 medical condition, 64.7% had ≥1 mental health condition, and 59.4% with tri-morbid condition. HOUSED BEDS framework revealed: Homeless history (H): 5.2 mean years homeless with 44.8% living on street and 34.5% combination of street, car, and/or shelter. Outreach (O): 92.6% received outreach. Utilization (U): 5.9 mean emergency department visits in past 6 months. Salary (S): 82.1% received government income. Eat (E): 73.7% received ≥7 meals per week. Drink (D): 80% reported clean water access. Bathroom (B): 86.4% reported bathroom access. Encampment (E): 61.9% reported safety concerns while living outside. Daily routine (D): 89.7% had access to a phone, 39.3% received social support from family and 28.6% from combination of family, friends, and/or partner. First priority for 25.9% was housing, 22.2% was income, 18.5% was social relationships, and 18.5% was health. Substance use (S): 93.1% had past or current substance use. Conclusions: Analyses highlight importance of housing, income, social relationships, and health to adults over age 50 experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Social Media

Address

NAPCRG
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211
800.274.7928
Email: napcrgoffice@napcrg.org