Homelessness: Understanding unmet needs and identifying resources

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Public health
• Community health

Background:

• Graduate occupational therapy students partnered with an Area Health Education Center (AHEC).
• The collaboration aimed to define occupational therapy's role in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Focus was placed on addressing health and wellbeing needs within this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and deliver educational resources tailored to the specific needs of individuals who are homeless.
• To enhance understanding of health, wellbeing, community integration, and routine development for the homeless population.

Main Methods:

• A needs assessment survey with thirteen questions was administered to nine participants.
• Weekly visits to a homeless shelter facilitated rapport-building and understanding of resident perspectives.
• Qualitative data collection focused on individual perspectives and barriers to occupation.

Main Results:

• Residents were guided on accessing community resources and services relevant to occupational needs.
• Specific needs were identified, leading to the provision of targeted resources.
• Support was offered for community integration, independent living, and self-management skills.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings offer foundational insights into the needs of the homeless population.
• This study underscores the potential for occupational therapy interventions to improve health, wellbeing, and life skills management.
• Further research is recommended to strengthen the link between occupational therapy and achieving individual goals for those experiencing homelessness.