Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37700235›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2023

A qualitative exploration of older people's lived experiences of homelessness and memory problems - stakeholder perspectives.

Penny Rapaport, Garrett Kidd, Rosario Espinoza Jeraldo, Ava Mason, Martin Knapp, Jill Manthorpe, Caroline Shulman, Gill Livingston

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
3.1field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Dementia care and mortality in people experiencing homelessness: A matched cohort study.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2025
    Article
  2. Unmet needs: Bringing physical rehabilitation to people experiencing homelessness.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation · 2025
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Penny RapaportUCL Department of Mental Health of Older People, Division of Psychiatry, Wing B, Floor 6 Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1T 7NF, UK. P.Rapaport@ucl.ac.uk.
Garrett KiddUCL Department of Mental Health of Older People, Division of Psychiatry, Wing B, Floor 6 Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
Rosario Espinoza JeraldoUCL Department of Mental Health of Older People, Division of Psychiatry, Wing B, Floor 6 Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
Ava MasonUCL Department of Mental Health of Older People, Division of Psychiatry, Wing B, Floor 6 Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
Martin KnappCare Policy and Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
Jill ManthorpeNIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, King's College London, London, UK.
Caroline ShulmanPathway, London, UK.
Gill LivingstonUCL Department of Mental Health of Older People, Division of Psychiatry, Wing B, Floor 6 Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
University College London · GBCamden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust · GBKing's College London · GBLondon School of Economics and Political Science · GB

Funding

Department of Health NIHR300844Marie Curie MCCC-FCO-11-U
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe numbers of older people experiencing both homelessness and memory problems are growing, yet their complex health, housing and care needs remain undelineated and unmet. There is a critical gap in understanding what can improve the care, support and experiences of this group. In this qualitative study we explore how stakeholders understand memory problems among older people in the context of homelessness and consider what they judge gets in the way of achieving positive outcomes.

methodWe conducted reflexive thematic analysis of qualitative interviews (n = 49) using a semi-structured topic guide, with 17 older people (aged ≥ 50 years) experiencing memory problems and homelessness, 15 hostel staff and managers, and 17 health, housing and social care practitioners. We recruited participants from six homelessness hostels, one specialist care home and National Health and Local Authority Services in England.

resultsWe identified four overarching themes. The population is not taken seriously; multiple causes are hard to disentangle; risk of exploitation and vulnerability; and (dis)connection and social isolation. The transience and lack of stability associated with homelessness intensified the disorienting nature of memory and cognitive impairment, and those providing direct and indirect support required flexibility and persistence, with staff moving beyond traditional roles to advocate, provide care and safeguard individuals. Memory problems were perceived by frontline staff and older people to be overlooked, misinterpreted, and misattributed as being caused by alcohol use, resulting in pervasive barriers to achieving positive and desired outcomes.

conclusionsEfforts to meet the needs of older people living with memory problems and experiencing homelessness and future interventions must reflect the complexity of their lives, often in the context of long-term alcohol use and current service provision and we make suggestions as to what could be done to improve the situation.

Indexed as

Cognitive DysfunctionIll-Housed PersonsAgedAlcohol DrinkingHumansMemory DisordersSocial IsolationAgeingHomelessnessInclusion healthMemory problemsQualitative

Identifiers

PMID37700235
PMCPMC10498566
OpenAlexW4386691941

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.