THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING WITH OLDER WOMEN …

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING WITH OLDER WOMEN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING, OR AT RISK OF, HOMELESSNESS6 AUGUST 2018

This paper has been endorsed by:

INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE

AUSTRALIA

Extention to the current ILC Global Alliance logo. Consistent logo symbol and layout provides better logo recognition and unity.

AAG038_ThingtoConsider.indd 1 31/7/18 1:13 pm

© Australian Association of Gerontology 2018

Suggested citation: Australian Association of Gerontology (2018)

Things to consider when working with older women who are

experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Melbourne.

2 Older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessnessOlder women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessnessOlder women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessnessOlder women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessnessOlder women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessnessOlder women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessnessOlder women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness


3Things to ConsiderThings to ConsiderThings to ConsiderThings to ConsiderThings to ConsiderThings to ConsiderThings to Consider

Acknowledgement of Country

Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) acknowledges

Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and

recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and

communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

For further information see AAG’s Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Ageing Advisory Group (ATSIAAG).

Sponsor

This paper was funded by the Australian Government

through the Dementia and Aged Care Services fund.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS



This paper was developed by Dr Sandra South, Senior Policy

and Research O�cer at AAG, with input, feedback and

support from the following individuals:

u James Beckford Saunders, Chief Executive O�cer of

AAG

u Kathy Bell, Senior Policy and Research O�cer at AAG

u Jan Berriman, Director of National Housing at YWCA

Australia

u April Bragg, Client Services Manager at Housing for the

Aged Action Group (HAAG)

u Professor Julie Byles, Past President and Honorary Life

Fellow of AAG, Head of the International Longevity

Centre-Australia, Global Innovation Chair in Responsive

Transitions in Health and Ageing, Director of Research

Centre for Generational Health and Ageing at The

University of Newcastle

u Dr Alice Clark, Executive Director at Shelter SA

u Dr Victoria Cornell, AAG member and Convenor of

AAG’s Housing and Built Environment Special Interest

Group, Postdoctoral Fellow at CHURP at the University

of Adelaide, and Home Share Project Manager at ECH

u Maria Cozzi, Housing Support Worker at Housing for the

Aged Action Group (HAAG)

u Kelli Dendle, AAG member and PhD Candidate at

the Institute for Future Environments at Queensland

University of Technology

u Frances Every, Homelessness Support Service Worker

u Dr Debbie Faulkner, AAG member, Deputy Director of

the Centre for Housing, Urban and Regional Planning

(CHURP) at the University of Adelaide, and Joint Project

Leader for the Older Persons Homelessness Prevention

Project- a collaboration between CHURP and HAAG

funded by The Wicking Trust

u Je� Fiedler, AAG member, National Development

Worker at Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG)

and Joint Project Leader for the Older Persons

Homelessness Prevention Project- a collaboration

between CHURP and HAAG funded by The Wicking

Trust

u Michael Horn, Michael Horn Consulting

u Kate Incerti, Team Leader Housing and Homelessness

Council of Port Phillip

u Robin Inglis, Policy O�cer at Seniors Rights Victoria

u Jeanette Large, Chief Executive O�cer at Women’s

Property Initiatives (WPI)

u Bryan Lipmann AM, Chief Executive O�cer of

Wintringham

u Dini Liyanarachchi, Senior Policy O�cer at Mission

Australia

u Bernadette Maheandiran, Policy O�cer at Seniors Rights

Victoria

u Dr Maree Petersen, AAG member and Senior Lecturer in

Social Work at The University of Queensland

u Adrian Pisarski, Executive O�cer of National Shelter

u Jacquelin Plummer, Head of Policy and Advocacy at

Mission Australia

u Dr Harriet Radermacher, AAG member and Director at

Radermacher and Associates

u Felicity Reynolds, Chief Executive O�cer of Mercy

Foundation

u Tonye Segbedzi, Senior Policy and Research O�cer at

AAG

u Dr Andrea Sharam, Design and Social Context, School of

Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT

University

u Liz Syngajewski, Manager Client Services Common

Ground Housing Choices South Australia

u Dr Margaret Ward, Co-Convenor of Australian Network

for Universal Housing Design and Research Fellow at

Gri�th University

u Gemma White, Community Education Worker at

Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG)

CONTRIBUTORS



ABOUT THIS PAPERThis document outlines issues for practitioners and service providers to consider when working with older women who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. It is targeted primarily at practitioners and service providers who are not experienced with, or specialists, in providing services to older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Therefore, it should be used as a primer and further information should be sought before providing advice to clients.

This document is based on the evidence summarised in the companion Background Paper–Older women who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The Background Paper should be read when more information and detail is required. The accompanying Position Paper of the same name, with key recommendations to Australian governments, may also be relevant.

In all its work including this paper, AAG adopts an inclusive definition of womanhood which includes self-perception and/or perception by others as a woman, including a person’s appearance, expression, identity or physical characteristics, that may be in accord with or opposed to, their physical anatomy, chromosomal sex or sex assigned at birth.

For the purposes of this paper, AAG defines “older women” as women aged 50 years or older, or from 45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in line with international research evidence and Australian aged care service legislation for people who have experienced homelessness (1).


i. You could start by looking at Figure 1 and reading the AAG Background Paper on older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, which includes references to research evidence.

ii. More information on the risk factors for homelessness experienced more often by older women than older men can be found in Figure 1 and the AAG Background Paper on older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.


Stop and reflect on your own potential prejudices and biases

Be aware of your own potential prejudices and biases, as this will likely a�ect the quality of the services you provide. You can challenge yourself by keeping up to date on research exploring the issues faced by, and needs of, older women at risk of homelessness.i The following points challenge prejudices and biases that research has shown people commonly have (2–4):

u All older women do not have the same pathway to homelessness (5,6), and therefore do not have the same needs.

Many older women are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness due to a single event such as an increase in rent, eviction notice or reduction in income (7). Research shows that a�ordable housing is one of the key drivers of homelessness in Australia.ii

Older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness may not have complex needs; the only service they need may be access to a�ordable, appropriate and secure housing (8,9).

Older women experiencing homelessness do not necessarily have a history of repeated or extended homelessness, women are more likely than men to experience homelessness for the first time later in life (5,10,11).

u International human rights law recognises everyone’s right to adequate housing, interpreted broadly as the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity (12,13).

A person’s pathway into being at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness does not a�ect their right to adequate housing.

u Do not assume family and friends will provide housing or expect them to do so:

Women should not be forced to exhaust their social networks before receiving services, even if their social networks are happy to o�er this support.

Accessing social networks may also be a source of stress and vulnerability, putting older women at risk of abuse.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING WITH OLDER WOMEN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING, OR AT RISK OF, HOMELESSNESS



Homelessness is a gendered issue–be sensitive to this

The gendered nature of homelessness, including older people’s homelessness, is widely acknowledged in the research literature (2,14,15).

u Older women in Australia are particularly at risk of experiencing homelessness for the first time in later life due to the socioeconomic landscape they inhabit, including gendered caregiving expectations and the fact that women live longer than men, on average (16–18).

u This gendered socioeconomic risk is multiplied by the lack of a�ordable housing suitable for older Australians.ii

Older women at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness often face compounded stigma due to their age, gender and homelessness, as well as the expectations by society that women should play a caregiving role and represent ‘home’ (3,6,14,19,20).

u While acknowledging that there is a need for services and support specific to older women, there must also be an acknowledgement that older women have diverse life experiences and needs (5,15,21), including their:

cultural backgrounds,

sexual identities,

disabilities,

health care needs,

housing needs,

support needs and desired level of independence, including the need for supports

to ensure social connectedness.



Think about the language you are using

u Begin by building trust and rapport before tackling issues related to homelessness, e.g. through chatting about a shared interest in a casual setting (22).

u Avoid using the term “homeless” as many older women may not relate to this word, especially if they are living with family and friends, in unfit housing, or in their car or caravan. Discussions framed around “housing needs” (15), or a casual discussion of their current housing may be more appropriate.

Ask the right questions

u A person-centred and relational approach that aims to identify and meet an older woman’s unique and personal needs and wishes is essential (23–26).

u Never assume that an older woman will raise concerns about her housing needs with you. They might not feel comfortable asking for help, might not realise they need help, or might not realise you may be able to help them or point them to other services that can help them.

u An assessment of older women’s housing situations should be incorporated in an appropriate manner into all contacts with older women seeking services and support, as many of the issues that lead people to seek help (e.g. loss of function, poor health, bereavement, abuse) are risk factors for homelessness and may also negatively a�ect their health and wellbeing.

Familiarise yourself with the services available to support older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness

Recognise that generalist homelessness or specialist services for other cohorts such as younger people may not to be appropriate for older people at risk of homelessness (22,27). Conversely, many aged care services may not be able to provide appropriate services for older people facing homelessness (28).

u Older women at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness (50 years or older or 45 years for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women) should be referred to aged care services specialising in working with older people facing homelessness. However, it must be acknowledged that there is a lack of such services.iii

iii. More information on the risk factors for homelessness for older women and current services in Australia can be found in Figure 1 and the AAG Background Paper on older women experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.



Lack of a�ordable, appropriate and secure housin

g

RISK OFHOMELESSNESS

FOR OLDER WOMENLack o

f inform

ation and support to access a�ordable, appropriate

and s

ecur

e h

ou

sin

g

Low

er s

oci

oec

onom

ic st

atus th

an men, leading to lower levels of savings an

d su

per

Substance addiction

Loss of income

Relationship breakdowns

Childhood trauma/

disruptionProviding

housing to family and

kin

Trauma

Poor physical

and mental health

Living alone

Ethnicity

Exhausting social

networks

Loss of partner

Reluctance to seek formal

support

Abuse

Sudden illness/

accident

Figure 1. Summary of the risk factors contributing to homelessness in older women in Australia. The overarching and multiplying risk factors that a�ect all older women are the lack of information and access to a�ordable, appropriate and secure housing and the lower socioeconomic status of women when compared to men.

Green circles represent the individual risk factors that contribute to homelessness in some older people, regardless of their gender.

Orange circles represent the individual risk factors that are more likely to contribute to homelessness in some older women when compared to older men.

Reproduced from AAG Background Paper (2018) Older women who are experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.



REFERENCES1. Australian Government. My Aged Care: Help for

older people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless [Internet]. 2017 Dec [cited 2018 Apr 7]. Available from: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-home/commonwealth-home-support-programme/help-older-people-homeless-or-at-risk

2. Sharam A. A predictable crisis: older, single women as the new face of homelessness [Internet]. Swinburne Institute for Social Research; 2010 Jun [cited 2018 Apr 15]. Available from: http://www.apo.org.au/node/22195

3. Kane MN, Green D, Jacobs RJ. Perceptions of Students about Younger and Older Men and Women who May Be Homeless. J Soc Serv Res. 2010;36(4):261–77.

4. Wesley Mission. Perceptions of homelessness ins Australia. How to make our compassion count [Internet]. 2018 May [cited 2018 May 24]. Available from: https://www.wesleymission.org.au/assets/Media/News-and-publications/Publications-and-resources/Wesley-Report/2018-Wesley-Mission-Perceptions-of-Homelessness-Report.pdf

5. Petersen M, Parsell C, Phillips R, White G. Preventing first time homelessness amongst older Australians [Internet]. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, The University of Queensland; 2014 Jun [cited 2018 Apr 7]. (AHURI Final Report). Report No.: 222. Available from: https://www.ahuri.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/2128/AHURI_Final_Report_No222_Preventing-first-time-homelessness-amongst-older-Australians.pdf

6. Kisor AJ, Kendal-Wilson L. Older homeless women: Reframing the stereotype of the bag lady. A�l-J Women Soc Work. 2002;17(3):354–70.

7. Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG). Special Edition- 500th person housed and counting. Home Housed [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2018 Jun 7];1. Available from: https://www.oldertenants.org.au/sites/default/files/home_and_housed_a4_0.pdf

8. Kent C. The disturbing truth you need to know about women’s homelessness. Women’s Agenda [Internet]. 2018 May 16 [cited 2018 May 21]; Available from: https://womensagenda.com.au/life/this-is-the-disturbing-truth-you-need-to-know-about-womens-homelessness/

9. May J. Middle class, hard working and homeless. The Age [Internet]. 2014 Apr 8 [cited 2018 Jun 18]; Available from: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/middle-class-hard-working-and-homeless-20140407-368w7.html

10. Crane M, Byrne K, Fu R, Lipmann B, Mirabelli F, Rota-Bartelink A, et al. The Causes of Homelessness in Later Life: Findings From a 3-Nation Study. J Gerontol Ser B. 2005;60(3):S152–9.

11. McDonald L, Dergal J, Cleghorn L. Living on the Margins. J Gerontol Soc Work. 2007 Jun 1;49(1–2):19–46.

12. O�ce of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Right to Adequate Housing [Internet]. [cited 2018 Jun 15]. Report No.: 21 (Rev. 1). Available from: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FS21_rev_1_Housing_en.pdf

13. O�ce of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Right to Adequate Housing Toolkit [Internet]. [cited 2018 Jun 15]. Available from: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Housing/toolkit/Pages/RighttoAdequateHousingToolkit.aspx

14. Darab S, Hartman Y. Understanding single older women’s invisibility in housing issues in Australia. Hous Theory Soc. 2013;30(4):348–67.

15. Petersen M, Parsell C. Older Women’s Pathways out of Homelessness in Australia. Report for the Mercy Foundation. [Internet]. Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), The University of Queensland; 2014 Feb [cited 2018 Apr 7]. Available from: https://www.mercyfoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/_cknw/files/FINAL%20Feb%202014%20Petersen%20%20Parsell%20Older%20women’s%20pathways%20out%20of%20homelessness.pdf



16. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Health-adjusted life expectancy in Australia: expected years lived in full health 2011 [Internet]. Australian Government; 2017 [cited 2018 Apr 10]. (Australian Burden of Disease Study series). Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/burden-of-disease/health-adjusted-life-expectancy-australia/contents/table-of-contents

17. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Life expectancy and disability in Australia: expected years living with and without disability [Internet]. Australian Government; 2017 Apr [cited 2018 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/life-expectancy-and-disability-in-australia-expected-years-living-with-and-without-disability/contents/table -of-contents

18. Fiedler J, Faulkner D. Finding a Suitable Home for Older People at Risk of Homelessness in South Australia: A report on housing for older people at risk of homelessness in South Australia, improving their access to housing and the services that can help. Housing for the Aged Action Group and The University of Adelaide, The Wicking Trust; 2017 Sep.

19. Gonyea JG, Melekis K. Older homeless women’s identity negotiation: agency, resistance, and the construction of a valued self. Sociol Rev. 2017 Jan;65(1):67–82.

20. Hightower JS. The older homeless woman’s perspective regarding antecedents to homelessness [Internet] [Doctor of Philosophy Thesis]. The University of Arizona; 2009 [cited 2018 Apr 5]. Available from: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi= 10.1.1.519.5653&rep=rep1&type=pdf

21. Judd B, Kavanagh K, Morris A, Naidoo Y. Housing options and independent living: Sustainable outcomes for older people who are homeless [Internet]. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, UNSW-UWS Research Centre; 2004 Jun [cited 2018 Apr 8]. Report No.: 62. Available from: https://www.ahuri.edu.au/ __data/assets/pdf_file/0013/2119/AHURI_Final_Report_No62_ Housing_options_and_ independent_living.pdf

22. Lipmann B. Elderly Homeless Men and Women: Aged Care’s Forgotten People. Aust Soc Work. 2009;62(2):272–86.

23. Moxley DP, Washington OGM, Calligan HF. Narrative insight into risk, vulnerability and resilience among older homeless African American women. Arts Psychother. 2012 Nov;39(5):471–8.

24. Petersen M. Addressing older women’s homelessness: service and housing models. Aust J Soc Issues. 2015;50(4):419–38.

25. Washington OGM, Moxley DP. Development of a Multimodal Assessment Framework for Helping Older African American Women Transition Out of Homelessness. Smith Coll Stud Soc Work. 2009;79(2):103–24.

26. Washington OGM, Moxley DP, Garriott L, Crystal JP. Building a responsive network of support and advocacy for older African American homeless women through developmental action research. Contemp Nurse. 2009;33(2):140–60.

27. Older Person’s Housing Coalition. A home for life: Towards an older persons housing strategy [Internet]. Housing for the Aged Action Group; 2016 Nov [cited 2018 Jun 19]. Available from: https:// www.oldertenants.org.au/sites/default/files/older_persons_housing_strategy_nov_2016.pdf

28. Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG). Reform of the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) Program.


THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING WITH OLDER WOMEN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING, OR AT RISK OF, HOMELESSNESS6 AUGUST 2018

This paper has been endorsed by:

/gerontologyau /gerontologyau

Australian Association of Gerontology

Suite 8, 322 St Kilda Road

St Kilda VIC 3182

Australia

Telephone: +61 3 8506 0525

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.aag.asn.au


THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING WITH OLDER WOMEN …

Documents

Transcript of THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING WITH OLDER WOMEN …