ShelterCare Medical Respite Program Receives National Recognition, Certification
ShelterCare Medical Respite to become one of the first 15 National Institute for Medical Respite Care Certified Medical Respite Care Programs in the Nation.
ShelterCare’s Medical Respite Care Program has become certified by The National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC), a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. In addition, not only is ShelterCare Medical Respite one of the first 15 programs in the country to receive this certification, but they are the first in the Pacific Northwest. ShelterCare, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, completed a rigorous process to demonstrate a high degree of fidelity to nationally recognized principles, standards, and expectations in the field of medical respite care. Learn more about NIMRC certification here.
ShelterCare Medical Respite (SMR) is a 19-bed facility that provides safe, emergency shelter for people who are experiencing homelessness and have recently been discharged from the hospital after an acute medical episode, yet still require limited care. Examples of medical episodes include, but are not limited to: awaiting or recovering from surgery, undergoing cancer treatment, and wound care. Participants receive three meals a day, assistance with healthcare coordination, and housing navigation support.
A single night in the hospital costs roughly the same as a month-long stay at SMR. Last year, SMR provided 101 unhoused individuals with a dignified way to heal from acute medical conditions, while saving the medical community over $2 million. This program is a collaboration among ShelterCare, PacificSource, Kaiser Permanente, and Trillium Community Health Plan. All clients are referred by PacificSource and Trillium. Learn more at https://sheltercare.org/smr/.
About ShelterCare
ShelterCare has a rich history in this community, dating back to 1970. ShelterCare provides housing and behavioral health support to the most vulnerable of our unhoused community, including families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and individuals with serious mental illness or medical fragility. Last year, ShelterCare helped move 771 individuals forward on their journey toward stability and independence.
