Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
J Palliat Med. 2021 Aug;24(8):1232-1235. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0772. Epub 2021 Mar 31.
Individuals experiencing homelessness face increased morbidity and mortality. The Canadian Toronto-based Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH) program was launched to better support those experiencing homelessness with life-limiting illness. To describe the population served by PEACH. A chart review of deceased clients from 2014 to 2017 was conducted. Sixty-three individuals were included in the analysis. 85.7% were male and the median age was 60 years. 35.4% resided in shelters, 26.2% in supportive/transitional housing; only 3.2% were sleeping on the streets. Cancer was the most common diagnosis (61.9%). 58.7% of clients had mental health diagnoses and 61.9% endorsed substance use. Locations of death included palliative care unit and hospice (44.4%), hospital (23.8%), supportive housing (12.6%), and shelter (7.9%). PEACH serves diverse clientele with unique care needs. This study will inform further palliative care research and interventions for those experiencing homelessness.
无家可归者面临更高的发病率和死亡率。加拿大多伦多的姑息治疗和关爱无家可归者(PEACH)项目的启动是为了更好地支持那些患有绝症的无家可归者。 描述由 PEACH 服务的人群。对 2014 年至 2017 年期间去世的客户进行了图表审查。分析中包括 63 人。85.7%是男性,中位数年龄为 60 岁。35.4%居住在收容所,26.2%居住在支持性/过渡性住房;只有 3.2%在街上睡觉。癌症是最常见的诊断(61.9%)。58.7%的客户有精神健康诊断,61.9%的人有药物滥用问题。死亡地点包括姑息治疗病房和临终关怀(44.4%)、医院(23.8%)、支持性住房(12.6%)和收容所(7.9%)。PEACH 为有特殊护理需求的不同人群提供服务。这项研究将为那些无家可归的人提供进一步的姑息治疗研究和干预措施。