Where do homeless people spend their last days and who cares for them
“Sean (60) never thought about getting older and says he does not often worry about dying, although he says someone did tell him he should make a will. What does worry Sean deeply is the thought that he might die and not be found for some weeks.” – From the Simon Communities report ‘Homelessness, Ageing and Dying’ (September 2013).
Given the choice, most of us would like to die at home in the safety and comfort of our own bed surrounded by family and friends. But what if you don’t have a home and your bed is in a homeless hostel?
This is the reality for a number of homeless people in Ireland who suffer with a life-limiting illness, many of whom are estranged from their family and friends.
Despite their highly complex medical and social needs, there is a dearth of information and research in the area of palliative care for homeless people in Ireland.
A highly marginalised and vulnerable group, homeless people die on average much earlier than the general population. While there is no consistent Irish data, a 2011 UK study found that the average age of death of homeless men was 47, while for women it was 43.
Source: June Shannon, The Irish Times, 14/07/15
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