Emily Cooper’s Post

Homeless activists have long accused San Diego hospitals of "patient dumping," or returning homeless patients to the streets before they can recover. A new series by Lisa Halverstadt highlights four big problem areas that reveal what's actually happening, as well as possible solutions. (Read the TLDR here: https://lnkd.in/d-yBvdui) 1. Hospitals have limited resources and are under a lot of pressure to discharge people quickly: https://lnkd.in/d8bqvxSX 2. There are not enough shelter beds or ways to refer patients from hospitals to shelters: https://lnkd.in/dtH7ZRsg 3. Access to recuperative care centers where homeless patients can fully recover has so far been complicated by insurance reforms: https://lnkd.in/dQvZ8TbR 4. Patients in need of longer-term care, such as those in the throes of addiction or mental health crises, are discharged too quickly: https://lnkd.in/dHG7uwi8 #mentalhealth #homelessness #publicpolicy #sandiego #california #healthcare #publichealth #addiction

For a street homeless individual on a very hot day, a cold bottle of water isn't a convenience, it is lifesaving care. When Code Red is activated, CUCS Street Outreach teams conduct wellness checks on vulnerable street homeless clients. Equipped with cold water, CUCS staff offers services like medical care, psychiatric treatment and most importantly - an offer to come inside out of the heat. "The best case scenario for Code Red is a client saying, 'Yes' to an offer of housing. While we work on that, we coordinate services like nurses to meet clients at their street location." - Kady, CUCS Street Outreach Case Manager. If you see a homeless person at risk on a very hot day, your best option is to call 311. A Street Outreach team will respond to the call to engage the individual and offer services. If you believe a person needs immediate emergency medical attention, call 911 to request an ambulance. #coderednyc #cucsnyc #homelessnyc #supportivehousing #streetoutreach #extremeheat #climatechangenyc #cucsstreetoutreach #streetoutreachnyc

News from Annals of Long-Term Care: "A common barrier for the medically frail and terminally ill populations is the inability to work due to their illness. Not being able to pay their rent and various bills can lead to an eviction, starting the cycle of homelessness," said Jillian Olmsted, executive director of The INN Between. Learn more about barriers that terminally ill and homeless patients face when trying to secure long-term care. #AnnalsofLongTermCare #ALTC #LTC #longtermcare #homesshealthcare #terminallyillcare 

🚨 Urgent Attention Needed 🚨 Did you know that Canadians experiencing homelessness stay nearly twice as long in hospitals at a cost over double the national average? A recent comprehensive health-care report has shed light on this alarming issue, pointing to the housing crisis as a major factor. But let's not forget the human element behind these statistics. Imagine the trauma of not having a place to call home, of not feeling safe or secure. Homeless individuals don't want to get sick from living on the streets; they simply want a chance at a better life. If asked, I'm sure they would express a preference for dollars to be spent on helping them find a home rather than on the costly cycle of hospital stays. It's time to recognize that homelessness isn't just a societal issue; it's a human one too. It's time to recognize that the simple costs of housing someone safely would be far cheaper than the costs for medical care when they become sick while homeless. Not only does homelessness drain resources and strain our healthcare system, but it also takes away money that could be better spent on critical cases. Let's advocate for sustainable solutions to address homelessness and invest in housing as a fundamental human right. Together, we can make a difference and ensure everyone has access to safe and stable housing. #homelessness #EndHomelessness #HousingForAll 🏠💙 https://lnkd.in/gYTDpxFA

Tomorrow, on 1/9, the Board of Supervisors will vote on whether the county will create a new recuperative care center. There are several proposals that will be brought forth and we need your support to make sure recuperative care passes. The first question you might ask is, "What is recuperative care?" Recuperative care is a place where homeless individuals with high medical and behavioral health needs can recover and find stable housing. The second question you might ask is, "Why do we need another recuperative care center?" At our Turk Recuperative Care Center we have seen 74% of clients transitioning to stable housing. Meanwhile, in San Diego County alone, 1,135 people became homeless for the first time in the month of November. Recuperative care centers provide people with a place to heal and access available resources. The question shouldn’t be whether we need another center, but rather, how do we build several. Join us together tomorrow in advocating for our most vulnerable. Below are a few ways to make an impact. Submit an e-comment supporting more recuperative care beds: https://shorturl.at/mEGKV Advocate by phone on January 9th to show support: https://shorturl.at/bnyLP Show up in-person on January 9th at 9:00am at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 310, San Diego, CA 92101 Submit a letter of support to [email protected] before January 9th

“We need to invest in these people who need help,” Bradford added. “If you give them a chance, they’ll surprise you, and they’ll do well.” - David Bradford. This is what David Bradford highlighted on the subject of homelessness. According to a recent article from Read the US News and World Report, ( in the news ) at News AKMI, a new study from the University of Georgia reveals that reducing homelessness by 25% could potentially save around 2,000 lives annually from opioid overdoses, along with hundreds of lives from alcohol and cocaine overdoses. This groundbreaking research highlights the significant impact of homelessness on substance-related deaths, emphasizing the urgent need for effective policies to address both issues. The surge in evictions, particularly following the pandemic, has further exacerbated homelessness, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive solutions. While eviction prevention is crucial, researchers emphasize the importance of addressing underlying housing issues and providing support to vulnerable populations. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of pragmatic and compassionate policies to address homelessness and substance abuse, emphasizing the need for long-term investments in solutions that prioritize support and assistance for those in need. As healthcare professionals, let me know how we can be a part of this movement by sharing your thoughts in the comment section below. #healthcare #physicians #homelessness #newstoday #medicalprofessionals

Today, we recognize #NHCW Health Care for People Experiencing Homelessness Day. More than 1.3 million people experiencing homelessness get their care at CHCs each year. People experiencing homelessness face higher rates of chronic diseases, behavioral health conditions, disability, and early death. Without housing, seemingly simple issues can develop into life-threatening illnesses. Health Care for the Homeless programs emphasize integrated and multi-disciplinary care to address the myriad health problems faced by people experiencing homelessness such as, poor nutrition, exposure to violence and weather-related illness and injury, and increased risk of contracting communicable diseases. By providing accessible, trauma-informed services, they also empower individuals to advocate for their own needs. Learn more at https://nhchc.org/ and https://lnkd.in/ghas5xa #ValueCHCs #NHCW24 #chcCHroniCles #homeless

Could medical respite programs be the key to closing the health care to homelessness pipeline? "We live in a country where not everyone believes that access to health care is a human right; not everyone believes that access to housing is a human right; not everyone believes that housing is health care. And I think that those three things are linked together and are some of the important ingredients to have when closing the hospital to homelessness pipeline,” says Devora Keller of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Learn how medical respite programs are transforming care for unhoused people by offering them a safe and secure place to heal. https://lnkd.in/eS5qagRE #MedicalRespitePrograms #HealthCareForAll #HousingIsHealth

Housing instability can contribute to long-term mental health disorders and exacerbate chronic conditions, compromising long term health. Further, these impacts are disproportionately felt among Black Americans. Research from the Elevance Health Public Policy Institute suggests that Medicaid health plans can invest in housing interventions and partnerships to equitably improve these housing outcomes, highlighting positive outcomes from an Elevance Health affiliated Medicaid plan in Nevada. https://ow.ly/7k2y30sC4CV