New research reveals that homeless people are almost twice as likely to have dementia compared to the general population.
This study, one of the first of its kind, was conducted by the Lawson Health Research Institute and ICES and published in The Lancet Public Health.
It specifically looked at the prevalence of dementia among homeless individuals versus those living in the general community and in low-income neighborhoods in Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Richard Booth, the study’s lead author, points out that dementia is notably more prevalent among homeless individuals, especially those aged 55 to 64 years.
This age group showed dementia rates four to five times higher than those in the general population and three to three and a half times higher than in low-income communities.
This trend of higher dementia rates in homeless people was consistent across all age groups under 85 years, affecting both men and women.
The study found that homeless individuals tend to be younger, are less likely to be female, and less likely to reside in rural areas compared to the general and low-income populations.
Additionally, they have a higher occurrence of health issues linked with dementia, including head injuries, neurological disorders, HIV, and mental health and substance abuse problems.
Even after adjusting for factors like age, sex, where they live, and their health conditions, the rate of dementia in homeless people was still 1.7 times higher than in those living in low-income areas and 1.9 times higher compared to the wider population.
Dr. Booth highlighted the connection between homelessness and accelerated aging, which could lead to an earlier onset of dementia. He suggests that the rate of homelessness among older adults could double by 2030, potentially increasing the number of dementia cases significantly.
Therefore, he recommends that homeless individuals be screened for dementia at an earlier age than the currently suggested 65 years.
The challenge of diagnosing dementia in homeless people is amplified by the presence of multiple chronic health conditions, making it hard to separate cognitive symptoms.
This difficulty, coupled with the obstacles in obtaining medical histories and diagnoses in this population, means the study’s findings might even understate the actual prevalence of dementia among the homeless.
The researchers hope their work will raise awareness among policymakers and healthcare providers about the growing issue of dementia in homeless populations.
They stress the importance of housing as a fundamental determinant of health. Providing permanent, supportive housing could be crucial in both preventing and slowing down the progression of dementia among homeless individuals.
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The research findings can be found in The Lancet Public Health.
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