February 23, 1999
Medical Respite Program helps the homeless
“Too sick for the streets, but not sick enough for the hospital” describes homeless people recovering from short-term health problems, such as minor trauma, chemotherapy treatments for cancer, or newly diagnosed chronic diseases.
Health-care providers began searching for a solution four years ago when the City of Seattle identified a large gap in services for the homeless. This awareness gave birth to the Medical Respite Program, a collaboration between Harborview Medical Center and the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health’s Health Care for the Homeless Network program.
“The program is designed for people not sick enough to require overnight care in a hospital, but still in need of a safe, clean place so they can recover,” says Sandy Olson, manager of Harborviews Pioneer Square Clinic, which administers the program.
Clients receive housing for an average of 11 days. Each receives a bed, meals, and transportation to and from clinic appointments. Harborview doctors, nurses, mental health experts and pharmacists comprise the care team.
Up to 22 homeless adults can be served at the same time. The women are housed in the YWCA’s Emergency Shelter for Women and the men go to the Salvation Army’s William Booth Center. Clients must agree to stay clean and sober and keep all medical appointments. Both centers have programs to help clients find permanent housing.
“Weve seen some real success stories,” says Olson. “Some people rise to the occasion when faced with taking care of their health conditions. They’ve transitioned into semi permanent housing after their respite care and then into getting a job and permanent housing.”
