Report points to discharge dangers

Inadequate accommodation for older homeless people leaving hospital
can lead to early re-admission or even needless death.

A new report accuses the National Service Framework for Older
People of failing to consider the implications for older people
without adequate housing.

The report, for Help the Aged and the Housing Associations
Charitable Trust, urges health and social care agencies to work
closely with housing and homelessness groups to ensure that older
homeless people are linked to community services.

Joe Oldman, older homelessness and housing needs manager at Help
the Aged, said: “Much more needs to be done to co-ordinate housing
and care services, particularly for older people with a combination
of problems that include alcohol misuse.”

– The Discharge of Older Homeless People from Hospital
from 020 7239 1946