Characteristics of older people who experience homelessness for the first time in later life in Tokyo, Japan: A descriptive study

ABSTRACT

Recent studies in Western countries reported that approximately half of older homeless persons entered homelessness for the first time in later life (late-onset homelessness). Characteristics of these individuals are reported to be different from those experiencing early-onset homelessness. However, studies investigating this issue in non-Western societies are lacking. We conducted a study on older homeless people aged 65 and over at the time they arrived at the shelters which are managed by one non-profit organization in Tokyo, Japan. During the recruitment period, a total of 58 people were admitted to the shelters; among these, 38 were 65 years and older, and 24 of those ≥65 years participated in this study. Among these, 14 participants were classified as experiencing homelessness for the first time in later life. These individuals had stable employment and housing histories, and no history of street dwelling or incarceration, suggesting that the concept of late-onset homelessness might be valid in non-Western settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health
• older homeless people
• physical frailty
• quality of life
• late-onset homelessness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data available on request because of privacy/ethical restrictions.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Nippon Life Insurance Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Tsuyoshi Okamura

Tsuyoshi Okamura is a director of the research team at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. His research focuses on older homelessness, green care farm for the older people, and Buddhist temple dementia cafe. He also serves as free advisor of the non-profit, Hurusato no kai, that serves homeless people including people with dementia. He is also affiliated with Sophia University and the University of Tokyo. He is the author of “Suicidal behavior among homeless people in Japan” (Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2014), “Factors associated with mental well-being of homeless people in Japan” (Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2014), “Characteristics of individuals with mental illness in Tokyo homeless shelters” (Psychiatric Services 2015), “Elderly men in Tokyo homeless shelters who are suspected of having cognitive impairment” (Psychogeriatrics 2017).

Yuki Matoba

Yuki Matoba is a board member of Hurusato no kai. Her research focuses on developing a method to support excluded people. She started this activity when she was a high school student.

Mikio Sato

Mikio Sato started his career as a teacher at a school for the disabled and has since become an independent author of many books on disabled children. He is an advisor of Hurusato no kai for the education of staff.

Megumu Mizuta

Megumu Mizuta is a founder and former CEO of Hurusato no kai. He devoted his life to building a compassionate method to support people excluded onto street.

Shuich Awata

Shuich Awata is a vice president of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. His research focuses on dementia-friendly community, suicide prevention, and community mental health. He is a board member of the Japanese Society for Dementia Care, the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, and the Japanese Society for Dementia Research, and so on.