Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adequate support for homeless populations includes shelter and care to recuperate from illness and/or injury. This is a descriptive analysis of diagnoses and use of shelter-based convalescence in a cohort of homeless adults in Amster...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2009-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/9/208 |
| _version_ | 1818488571334492160 |
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| author | Klazinga Niek de Wit Matty van Laere Igor |
| author_facet | Klazinga Niek de Wit Matty van Laere Igor |
| author_sort | Klazinga Niek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adequate support for homeless populations includes shelter and care to recuperate from illness and/or injury. This is a descriptive analysis of diagnoses and use of shelter-based convalescence in a cohort of homeless adults in Amsterdam.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Demographics of ill homeless adults, diagnoses, referral pattern, length of stay, discharge locations, and mortality, were collected by treating physicians during outreach care provision in a shelter-based convalescence care facility in Amsterdam, from January 2001 through October 2007.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>629 individuals accounted for 889 admissions to the convalescence care facility. 83% were male and 53% were born in the Netherlands. The mean age was 45 years (SD 10 years). The primary physical problems were skin disorders (37%), respiratory disorders (33%), digestive disorders (24%) and musculoskeletal disorders (21%). Common chronic conditions included addictions 78%, mental health disorders 20%, HIV/AIDS 11% and liver cirrhosis 5%. Referral sources were self-referred (18%), general hospitals (21%) and drug clinics (27%). The median length of stay was 20 days. After (self)discharge, 63% went back to the previous circumstances, 10% obtained housing, and 23% went to a medical or nursing setting. By March 2008, one in seven users (n = 83; 13%) were known to have died, the Standard Mortality Ratio was 7.5 (95% CI: 4.1-13.5). Over the years, fewer men were admitted, with significantly more self neglect, personality disorders and cocaine use. Lengths of stay increased significantly during the study period.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Over the last years, the shelter-based convalescence care facility users were mainly homeless single males, around 45 years of age, with chronic problems due to substance use, mental health disorders and a frail physical condition, many of whom died a premature death. The facility has been flexible and responsive to the needs of the users and services available.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T16:52:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e56e7e48b70d4a16aa01a1e82e01c57d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T16:52:56Z |
| publishDate | 2009-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-e56e7e48b70d4a16aa01a1e82e01c57d2022-12-22T01:40:51ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632009-11-019120810.1186/1472-6963-9-208Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive studyKlazinga Niekde Wit Mattyvan Laere Igor<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adequate support for homeless populations includes shelter and care to recuperate from illness and/or injury. This is a descriptive analysis of diagnoses and use of shelter-based convalescence in a cohort of homeless adults in Amsterdam.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Demographics of ill homeless adults, diagnoses, referral pattern, length of stay, discharge locations, and mortality, were collected by treating physicians during outreach care provision in a shelter-based convalescence care facility in Amsterdam, from January 2001 through October 2007.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>629 individuals accounted for 889 admissions to the convalescence care facility. 83% were male and 53% were born in the Netherlands. The mean age was 45 years (SD 10 years). The primary physical problems were skin disorders (37%), respiratory disorders (33%), digestive disorders (24%) and musculoskeletal disorders (21%). Common chronic conditions included addictions 78%, mental health disorders 20%, HIV/AIDS 11% and liver cirrhosis 5%. Referral sources were self-referred (18%), general hospitals (21%) and drug clinics (27%). The median length of stay was 20 days. After (self)discharge, 63% went back to the previous circumstances, 10% obtained housing, and 23% went to a medical or nursing setting. By March 2008, one in seven users (n = 83; 13%) were known to have died, the Standard Mortality Ratio was 7.5 (95% CI: 4.1-13.5). Over the years, fewer men were admitted, with significantly more self neglect, personality disorders and cocaine use. Lengths of stay increased significantly during the study period.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Over the last years, the shelter-based convalescence care facility users were mainly homeless single males, around 45 years of age, with chronic problems due to substance use, mental health disorders and a frail physical condition, many of whom died a premature death. The facility has been flexible and responsive to the needs of the users and services available.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/9/208 |
| spellingShingle | Klazinga Niek de Wit Matty van Laere Igor Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive study BMC Health Services Research |
| title | Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive study |
| title_full | Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive study |
| title_fullStr | Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive study |
| title_short | Shelter-based convalescence for homeless adults in Amsterdam: a descriptive study |
| title_sort | shelter based convalescence for homeless adults in amsterdam a descriptive study |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/9/208 |
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