The challenges homeless people face when accessing end-of-life care: what district nurses need to know

Abstract

People experiencing homelessness have poorer physical and mental health compared with the rest of the population. Mortality rates are significantly higher, yet there is a dearth in suitable places for the delivery of palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. Homeless people are being failed by the current healthcare system. The stigma associated with being homeless negatively impacts these marginalised people, affecting care given from healthcare professionals (HCP). Services are often inflexible and have little tolerance for substance misuse. District Nurses (DN) are often experienced EOL care practitioners and well-placed to give person-centred care with a focus on collaborative decision-making. However, many homeless people die without input from DNs or specialist palliative support. It is important to understand why this is happening to address what can be done to help.