The Respite Bed Program provides referrals for post-hospitalization healthcare services to homeless patients transitioning out of acute care.  Referred patients receive basic medical oversight in a clean, safe environment for an average of 10 days in order to recover from minor physical injuries or illnesses.  Patient referrals are submitted by hospital case managers or discharge planners.

Respite Care is not designed to address the ongoing chronic medical conditions of the homeless, but rather to provide the basic medical and custodial care necessary to stabilize the patient after hospital discharge, and then connect them to social service and transitional or permanent housing programs.

Admission Criteria

• Homeless and have an acute medical condition with an identifiable end point of care.

• Independent in mobility (walker, wheelchair accepted if able to transfer self).

• Independent in Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and medication administration.

• Continent of bladder and bowel.

• Medically and psychiatrically stable at discharge.

Additional Admission Information

• Patient will not be admitted solely for the purpose of housing and/or non-medical case management.

• Patient must be given medications in supply to match # of days at recuperative care program.

• Hospital provides patient transportation to IF recuperative care site.

• Hospital coordinates Home Health Services for patient during recuperative care (if applicable).

• Referrals accepted Mon. - Fri., 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Who is Not Eligible: Exclusion Criteria

• Patient is not homeless.

• Active substance abuse and not willing to abstain.

• Unstable medically & psychiatrically.

• Non-ambulatory, dependent in ADL’s and/or incontinent of bladder and bowel.

• Combative or aggressive behavior.