Abstract
Despite the prevalence of animal companions in the lives of homeless individuals and the established benefits and complications offered by pets during serious illness and end-of-life, little is known about the experience of serious illness and end-of-life among homeless people who have animal companions. Two subsamples from a parent study– longitudinal medical documentation of homeless palliative care patients who discussed animal companionship during their care, and interviews with cross-sector service providers who spoke to the role of animals in care– were analyzed using an interpretive description approach. Results showcase three major themes: (1) healing benefits to animal companionship during concurrent homelessness and serious illness; (2) facing the choice between animal companionship and formal housing and health services; (3) distress surrounding the paradoxical relationship between animal relationships and formal care access. These findings provide practical implications for service expansion in healthcare settings for persons with animal companions in addition to future research on the benefit of animal companions for those working with unhoused individuals with serious illnesses.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Ensuring Quality Long-Term Care
KEYWORDS
Homeless, Palliative Care, Hospice Care, Companion-animal, Pet
