Access to palliative care for older adults experiencing homelessness

Despite growing evidence that older adults experiencing homelessness have unique and largely unmet palliative care needs, policy and practice in the field continues to overlook this population. While some Canadian cities have started developing palliative care services geared toward older homeless adults, such programs have been developed as independent projects and not as part of broader policy initiatives. No such targeted initiatives exist in Montreal, leaving an ever-widening gap in crucial service provision. This presentation will describe some of the major barriers faced by older adults experiencing homelessness in accessing palliative care, provide tangible tools and strategies to better meet their needs, and highlight innovative care models.