ABSTRACT

The biopsychosocial circumstances of homeless older persons (male and female, 55 years and older), specifically considered from a resilience lens, are inadequately described within the South African context. This study explored and described the biopsychosocial circumstances of homeless older persons in the City of Tshwane from a resilience lens. A qualitative research approach, operationalised through a collective case study, was implemented with 34 older persons across different research sites in the metropolitan area. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Transcriptions of interviews were analysed through a process of thematic analysis. Apart from a brief profile, six themes are reported: (1) the choice of areas where homeless older persons reside, (2) the causes of homelessness, (3) the adversities they face, (4) coping strategies employed by homeless older persons, (5) the services and professionals homeless older persons utilised, and (6) the voices of participants concerning their recommendations for the City of Tshwane. Considered from a resilience lens, recommendations for an integrated social services delivery framework are offered for mitigating the harsh circumstances of homelessness among older persons.

摘要

无家可归的老年人（男性和女性，55 岁及以上）的生物心理社会状况，特别是从复原力的角度考虑，在南非的背景下没有得到充分描述。本研究从复原力的角度探索和描述了茨瓦尼市无家可归老年人的生物心理社会状况。通过集体案例研究实施的定性研究方法在大都市区的不同研究地点对 34 名老年人实施。通过半结构化访谈收集数据。通过主题分析过程对采访的转录进行了分析。除简要介绍外，还报告了六个主题：（1）无家可归老年人居住地区的选择，（2）无家可归的原因，（3）他们面临的逆境，(4) 无家可归的老年人采用的应对策略，(5) 无家可归的老年人使用的服务和专业人员，以及 (6) 参与者关于他们对茨瓦尼市的建议的声音。从复原力的角度考虑，提出了综合社会服务提供框架的建议，以减轻老年人无家可归的恶劣情况。