Home > Markedly poor physical functioning status of people experiencing homelessness admitted to an acute hospital setting.

Kiernan, Sinead and Ní Cheallaigh, Clíona and Murphy, Niamh and Dowds, Joanne and Broderick, Julie (2021) Markedly poor physical functioning status of people experiencing homelessness admitted to an acute hospital setting. Scientific Reports, 11, p. 9911. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88590-0.

External website: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-88590-0


Adults who are homeless experience poor health and frequently require hospital in-patient care but the physical functioning ability of this group is rarely considered. The objective of this study was to evaluate a broad range of physical functioning variables to enable better future planning of targeted health and accommodation services for this group. This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a large acute hospital in Dublin, Ireland. A comprehensive ward-based test battery evaluated physical functioning in 65 in-patients registered as homeless with an age range of 23–80 years. Less than 10% (n = 5) were > 70 years. 58/65 (83%) of participants had mobility limitations and 35/65 (54%) reported at least one fall in the previous six months. Only 25/66 (35%) were able to walk for 6 min and 20/65 (31%) were able to climb one flight of stairs. 45/63 (70%) of participants were pre-frail or frail. Muscular mass was normal in the majority of participants but grip strength was low. This study revealed hospital in-patients registered as homeless displayed particularly poor physical functioning levels and mobility regardless of age. Health and housing services should address the unmet physical functioning needs of this vulnerable group.

Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related
Drug Type
All substances
Intervention Type
Harm reduction
Date
May 2021
Identification #
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88590-0
Page Range
p. 9911
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Volume
11
EndNote
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