What We Do
The Medical Recovery Program at the Center for Respite Care serves single, individuals experiencing homelessness from the Greater Cincinnati area with acute medical issues.
FROM MEDICAL RECOVERY TO INDEPENDENCE
The Center for Respite Care serves adult individuals experiencing homelessness from the Greater Cincinnati area with acute medical issues.
People who are homeless experience a high rate of unresolved health conditions and complications, repeat emergency room visits and extended hospital stays due to improper healing. Substandard living conditions, inadequate nutrition, extreme weather and no or very limited access to healthcare inevitably leads to serious health conditions.
After a stay in the hospital, sometimes extended recovery is needed. Shelters and homeless treatment programs are unable to accommodate the follow-up care that insures someone’s true recovery.
Medical Recovery Program
The Center’s clients have access to 24/7 extended care in our 20-bed facility following surgeries and other major medical procedures. Our medical staff addresses their pressing needs, including medical evaluations, limited lab tests, medication administration, nursing care, and the coordination of medical, substance abuse, and mental health services.
In addition to addressing the medical needs of our clients, they are provided with bedroom amenities, showers, laundry facilities, and transportation to outside appointments. Most importantly, there is an ongoing educational dimension to their stay. The goal is to help each client learn about their acute and often chronic medical issues, and how to effectively treat and manage them. This includes understanding symptoms, medications, and the importance of regular and consistent communication with their healthcare providers.
Case Management Services
However, it is not just about the client’s physical recovery. Utilizing an extensive Social Needs Assessment, our case managers engage in a collaborative process with the newly admitted client, the medical team, and external agencies, as they facilitate, coordinate and evaluate an ongoing individualized case plan.
The case plan is a working document that is updated whenever necessary to meet the needs and preferences of the individual. The staff works to bridge the gap between medical recovery and stable placement to make sure that, once someone is discharged, they have what they need for self-sufficiency, independence and a place to call home – a direct tie-back to the Center’s mission.
The Medical Recovery to Independence program is educational in nature and supports our clients as each will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about their own acute and often chronic conditions or illnesses, and how to effectively treat and manage them. This includes understanding symptoms, medications, and the importance of regular and consistent communication with their healthcare providers.
- Learn basic computer skills that will aid in employment searches and personal enrichment.
- Prepare nutritious and appropriate, simple meals.
- Learn how to navigate the system of the Greater Cincinnati Public Library so they can check out books, use the computers, increase literacy, read the local newspapers, and more.
- Learn to effectively use public transportation.
- Open a checking account and manage other aspects of recently acquired income or benefits including the basics of budgeting.
- Receive assistance with navigating available community supports including food, clothing and household goods resources.
- Participate in pre-discharge and aftercare programs as they settle into life after medical recovery.
For more information about the program or to submit a referral, please contact our Nurse Supervisor at nursesupervisor@centerforrespitecare.org
