Homeless have a higher risk of developing dementia at a younger age

The study, which used data from Ont. patients who visited an ER, found that dementia in people who were homeless was 1.9 times higher than the general population and 1.7 times higher compared to people with a low income. The numbers are likely an underestimate of dementia since many patients may not have disclosed they were homeless. As with other studies, the researchers found that people who were homeless had higher rates of neurological conditions, mental health, HIV and substance use disorders, all factors that contribute to dementia. Brain injury due to violence and falls following the use of alcohol and illicit substances is also common among that population. While standard screening tools for dementia are typically used on people with higher levels of education, researchers suggest that, for those who are homeless, functional assessments may be a more reliable measure of day-to-day experience, including whether people remember to shower, for example.