A recent analysis of public records by the Guardian reveals that thousands of senior citizens have died while homeless in Los Angeles over the past decade. Individuals aged 60 and over accounted for a quarter of all deaths among unhoused people in this period. Contrary to the belief that most homeless people are young and from out-of-state, the data shows that more than 3,000 out of 11,500 deceased unhoused individuals were 60 or older, emphasizing the crisis among older residents in this expensive region.
The problem has worsened over time. In 2023, the Los Angeles County medical examiner recorded 496 deaths among elderly unhoused people, nearly quadrupling the number from ten years earlier. Many of these older individuals were found in public spaces such as alleys, parks, and sidewalks, indicating they lived unsheltered.
The causes of death varied: around 1,500 were deemed natural, due to conditions like heart failure and Covid-19; 1,355 were accidental, including overdoses and traffic incidents; 74 were homicides; and 44 were suicides. Notably, 221 individuals aged 75 and older died while homeless, including some in their 80s and two who were 92.
Black Angelenos are disproportionately affected, making up 33% of the older unhoused death toll despite constituting only 9% of the county's population. This highlights the severe impact of homelessness on Black residents in Los Angeles.
The data also suggests an undercount of deaths, as the medical examiner's office only reviews certain types of deaths. Unhoused individuals who died under medical care shortly before their passing might not be included.
The homelessness crisis in Los Angeles is severe, with over 75,000 people unhoused as of January 2024, including 5,100 individuals aged 65 and older. Many older residents are experiencing homelessness for the first time due to high housing costs, mental health issues, and past experiences of violence.
Medical professionals like Dr. Absalon Galat regularly encounter elderly patients living outside, struggling to regain stability after losing housing. Galat highlighted the urgent need to get people like Joseph Patin, a 62-year-old with congestive heart failure living in the desert, into proper care. Despite efforts, many end up back on the streets due to isolation and the lack of supportive housing near their families.
Dr. Margot Kushel, director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, noted that older unhoused individuals often feel immense isolation and stigma. They face a harsh choice between being housed far from their support networks or remaining on the streets.
Wendell Stephens, an 81-year-old living out of an RV, described the loneliness and violence he faces. Despite occasional help from outreach workers, he remains cautious about moving into crowded shelters. Stephens, who was able to buy an RV with donated funds, now has a semblance of stability and even helped a friend secure shelter.
These stories underline the urgent need for targeted support and housing solutions for the aging homeless population in Los Angeles.
Link: The Guardian
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