Prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among veterans experiencing housing insecurity

Abstract

Introduction: Housing insecure veterans are aging, but the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) in the population is unknown. Methods: We calculated the prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses in 2018 among veterans that experienced homelessness, were at-risk for homelessness, or were stably housed. We determined acute care (emergency department, hospitalizations, psychiatric hospitalizations), and any long-term care (nursing home, and community-based) use by housing status among veterans with an AD/ADRD diagnosis. Results: The overall prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses for homeless, at-risk, and stably housed veterans was 3.66%, 13.48%, and 3.04%, respectively. Housing insecure veterans with AD/ADRD used more acute care, and were more likely to have a nursing home admission compared to stably housed veterans. At risk, but not homeless veterans, were more likely to use US Department of Veterans Affairs–paid home and community-based care than stably housed veterans. Discussion: The prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses is greater among housing insecure veterans than stably housed veterans.