Women are at a higher risk for death in the United States than men according to the Center for Disease Control. A high number of deaths in this country are caused by people with medical conditions such as heart disease stroke and chronic liver disease so having access to help is a priority. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has identified “Families who live in transitional housing do not have access to needed resources and services.” This could be especially true of women who are three times more likely than men to suffer from one or more illnesses including Alzheimer’s and cancer. Since many women end up living in transitional housing or some form of assisted living they may have difficulty making ends meet finding employment and maintaining an independent lifestyle.
Women living in transitional living may face unique challenges. Women who live in transitional homes often referred to as “assisted living” facilities do not have the same benefits that regular families have. In fact these facilities are often not considered “assisted living” by the government which may lead to problems when it comes to getting government benefits. Because they are not assisted living many women living in these facilities do not receive the same level of health care and support that a family in the mainstream community would receive. Women in transitional housing may need to ask their healthcare provider about what types of services they can receive in these facilities if they receive them or in the area where they live. If a woman lives in a community with transients she may have to face the stigma of being homeless or receiving welfare benefits in a way that does not fit her lifestyle.
Transients may have to choose between eating healthy and being able to maintain their independence. Since transients often face problems with substance abuse it may be difficult for the transients to get through day-to-day life without coming back dependent on alcohol and drugs. Some people have been known to slip into homelessness and drug addiction due to their transient’s status. As long as there are transients in the United States there will be problems that need to be addressed in terms of health and social services. However it is important to recognize that transients are in desperate situations but that they are also women who have come through hard times.
