A transformative care model addressing late-life homelessness

Dr. Jill Alston, a geriatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and assistant professor at the Temerty faculty of medicine, is a leader in addressing the needs of older adults experiencing homelessness. Her innovative work has earned her the Medical Post’s Making a Difference Award—Urban for her contributions to marginalized communities in Toronto.Recognizing the growing number of older adults in shelters—32% of shelter users were aged 50 and older in 2021 in Toronto—Dr. Alston identified a gap in care for this vulnerable population. In response, she led the development and implementation of Canada’s first geriatric outreach program tailored for older adults in shelters. Her program, which operates at Seaton House and Scarborough Village Residence, provides comprehensive geriatric assessments within the shelter environment. This approach has been instrumental in diagnosing previously undetected mental health conditions and dementia, ensuring that older adults receive the care they need.Dr. Alston’s work, including the publication Tackling Late-Life Homelessness in Canada, has the potential to influence policy and care models across the country. Her advocacy extends beyond academic circles, as she has been a voice for vulnerable older adults in media outlets such as CTV News and the Toronto Star.In addition to her clinical impact, Dr. Alston has built capacity for enhanced care through mentorship and education, training the next generation of healthcare providers to better serve older adults experiencing homelessness. Her dedication to health equity and social justice has been recognized with the Robert Sheppard Award from the Temerty school of medicine.JUDGE QUOTE:“Dr. Alston’s vision in creating a new model for long-term care homes for older adults experiencing homelessness recognizes the social and healthcare needs of this ever-expanding and most vulnerable population. She established Canada’s first geriatric outreach program for older adults setting the standards for other communities across the country. She is recognized as a national expert in the domain of late-life homelessness and has transformed geriatric education for undergraduates.”Watch the video interview—or read the Q&A transcript below:

A transformative care model addressing late-life homelessness

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