Background: Homelessness is a global issue that has a devastating impact on elderly women’s health. It is estimated that100 million people are considered homeless worldwide. Aim: to explore the lived experiences of homelessness among elderly women. Research question: What are the lived experiences of homelessness among elderly women? Sample: A purposive sample of 30 homless elderly women. Setting: a selected homelessness shelter. Tools: 1- A structured questionnaire of personal and medical data. 2- Semi-structured interview with open-ended questions. 3- Field notes. Results/Themes: five themes were represented; (1) Living without basic human needs (food, water, sleep &shelter), (2) Self-care deficit. (self-neglect, poor hygiene and bad odor). (3) Bio- psycho- social health problems (fear, aggressive behavior, depression, suicidal ideation, isolation, hopelessness, loss of family role, vision problems, diabetic foot and lack of acces to health care services), (4) Emotional distress (uncertainity, loss of interest, suicidal ideation, bad feeling, feeling lonely), (5) Strategies for resolution (religious and expression of feelings). Conclusion: Majority of homless elderly women experienced living without basic human needs, bio-psychsocial health problems, self-care deficit which predispose them to many devastating health consequences. Recommmendations: Employ urgent interventions to solve the unique and challenging health problems/needs of this vulnerable group; raising community awarness about the nature, and process of homelessness phenomena and conduct bio-psychosocial interventions studies of homeless elderly women.

Key words: Lived experiences, homeless elderly women, phenomenological study.