Building Bridges to Stability through Recuperative Care
Over 653,000 individuals are known to be experiencing homelessness in the United States on any given night (1). And each of us has wondered, why?
Why are so many members of our communities struggling so greatly?
Why does it appear that solutions are hard to come by and ineffective?
Certainly, the rising costs of living play a role, but many of the challenges faced by the unhoused neighbors run much deeper. There are countless instances where just one medical bill, one late rent payment, or a single shift in family dynamics can alter someone’s course, making it extremely difficult to maintain stability, let alone thrive, in today’s world.
Or go to the streets, where one “small” health issue such as a sprained ankle or unaddressed asthma is only exacerbated by the conditions of living outside, where meals and rest are inconsistent, follow-up care is non-existent, and levels of both mental and physical stress are extremely high. Once turning to the emergency room, their immediate issue may be fixed, but the underlying challenges persist, and they still lack connections to life-changing resources as well as a stable place to rebuild their lives.
The average life expectancy of those experiencing homelessness is over twenty years shorter than that of the general population (2). Our team of healthcare and housing experts have asked themselves the same “Why’s”—and they’ve also asked themselves: What can we do about it?
Recuperative Care is a proven way to address the challenges of those who are unhoused or facing housing insecurity. Ours is a voluntary program that provides a safe, stable, and supportive environment to regain strength, functionality, and independence after a hospital stay. We offer medication management, therapy, life skills, enrichment activities, and more. During a client’s stay (up to 90 days), they are provided with three meals a day, a warm bed, and a supportive network of Client Support Specialists and Case Managers that work tirelessly to individualize the support provided to each client.
During their Recuperative Care stay, our clients can participate in a rotating schedule of enrichment activities from outside partners, such as art therapy, Tai Chi, AA panel, and classes in financial literacy. Clients are also connected with Housing Navigators, who provide assistance in searching for housing, completing housing applications, and developing an individualized housing support plan.
The goal of these programs is to facilitate a smooth transition from hospital care into stable housing and provide continued ongoing follow up support to assist individuals in achieving optimal health outcomes.
We are building a future where every person has equitable access to exceptional healthcare services and affordable housing. Our vision is to transform challenges into triumphs, turning each “why” into a powerful success story of individuals and families finding not just a home, but a foundation for stability, health, and hope. Together, we are redefining what it means to heal and thrive.
About NHHA’s Community Care Campus
NHHA’s Community Care Campuses are built upon a model of care that is fully integrated and designed to care for the whole person. Each campus links the community to services that meet their unique needs, from physical health to mental health to supportive housing and social services.
Sources
2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Healing Hands: Preventative Care for People Experiencing Homelessness, National Health Care for the Homeless Council