"Care is connection": How place shapes experiences of care for precariously housed adults nearing end-of-life
| dc.contributor.author | Stewart, Alexandra | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Stajduhar, Kelli I. | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Cloutier, Denise S. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-05-27T20:23:06Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-05-27T20:23:06Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.degree.department | School of Public Health and Social Policy | |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Arts MA | |
| dc.description.abstract | As the social determinants of health literature highlight, housing is more than a physical space; it is a critical foundation for social connectivity and healthcare access. Stable housing supports the development of community connections, which are linked to enhanced well-being and a better quality of life. Furthermore, these connections fulfill a vital function in the context of end-of-life care. Conversely, for adults who are precariously housed, inadequate housing may disrupt the ability to engage with their communities, resulting in social isolation and adverse end-of-life care experiences. As such, housing stability plays a vital role in facilitating or limiting social connections. Drawing on observational fieldnotes and qualitative interviews, this study examined the role of ‘place’ in shaping experiences of care for unstably housed adults nearing end-of-life guided by a geographic and health equity lens. The findings reveal that social connection and supportive relationships were seen as central to participants’ sense of home and experiences of care. Meanwhile, displacement and frequent transitions illustrate how disrupted connections can impact quality of life and restrict access to social support at end-of-life. In conclusion, this study underscores the significance of social connection, community support and sense of place in fostering more equitable end-of-life care experiences for precariously housed adults. | |
| dc.description.embargo | 2026-05-05 | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Graduate | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22311 | |
| dc.language | English | eng |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.rights | Available to the World Wide Web | |
| dc.subject | Palliative care | |
| dc.subject | Homelessness | |
| dc.subject | Housing | |
| dc.subject | Social connection | |
| dc.subject | Social determinants of health | |
| dc.title | "Care is connection": How place shapes experiences of care for precariously housed adults nearing end-of-life | |
| dc.type | Thesis |