An increasing number of older adults in Utah are being discharged from long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities into homelessness, raising concerns about their health and well-being.

A concerning trend is emerging in Utah where an increasing number of older adults are being discharged from long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities into homelessness, a situation that experts warn can lead to severe health consequences and higher hospital readmission rates.

The Utah Long-Term Care Ombudsman's Office has been tracking these discharges since March 2024 and has found that a significant number of residents are either being discharged to shelters or hotels or to unknown destinations, highlighting a potential crisis that's largely going unnoticed. The office's findings reveal that 57 nursing home residents received a discharge notice listing a shelter or hotel as their next destination, while an additional 34 were discharged to unknown locations. The ombudsman was able to intervene and prevent nine of these discharges, underscoring the vital role they play in protecting vulnerable individuals. Similar issues have also been identified in assisted living facilities, with five residents discharged to homelessness in fiscal year 2025 and 12 to unknown destinations. These facilities, like nursing homes, are legally obligated to ensure a safe discharge location, but the complexities of finding appropriate placements, particularly in the face of rising costs, shrinking social safety nets, and a severe shortage of affordable housing, are creating significant challenges.\The implications of these discharges are profound. When individuals with limited resources and complex needs are left without a stable living situation, their health is at risk. Several examples illustrate the severity of the problem. In one instance, a man with dementia was discharged to a hotel and subsequently ended up in the emergency room after being found wandering in the rain. Another resident, who had previously experienced homelessness, was discharged to the streets and did not receive the necessary home health services, according to reports. And in another case, a 73-year-old resident, who had been admitted to a nursing home while recovering from a toe amputation due to frostbite, was discharged to a bus station without a plan for follow-up care. These instances reflect a disturbing tendency within some facilities to simply return individuals to homelessness, despite their medical needs and lack of resources. Alianne Sipes, Utah’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, noted that a lot of nursing homes have been accepting new admissions from the state’s growing population of homeless older adults, which might be contributing to this disturbing phenomenon. The lack of adequate discharge planning and the absence of readily available resources are exacerbating the crisis, leaving vulnerable individuals to fend for themselves.\Several factors contribute to the escalating problem. The affordable housing shortage in Utah has made it increasingly difficult to find suitable placements for older adults leaving long-term care. The increasing demand for homeless services among older adults, as noted by Michelle Flynn, CEO of The Road Home, a homeless services provider, further highlights the scale of the challenge. Facilities are reportedly struggling to find solutions, with some going to great lengths to provide temporary care while searching for more permanent arrangements. However, the lack of affordable housing, along with shortages in behavioral health resources and limited community placements, is creating an environment where discharges to shelters or temporary settings are becoming more common. Allison Spangler, the president and CEO of the Utah Health Care Association, emphasizes that these outcomes are not what facilities want but rather reflect the larger challenges faced within the state. The situation calls for a collaborative approach involving facilities, case managers, community partners, and government agencies to address the root causes of homelessness among older adults and ensure that those leaving long-term care facilities are provided with safe and appropriate discharge locations, which will require significant investment in affordable housing, improved access to healthcare services, and strengthened support systems for vulnerable populations