Lawrence & Memorial Hospital - New London Homeless Hospitality Center

What is it?

In partnership with the New London Homeless Hospitality Center (HHC), Lawrence & Memorial Hospital provides a respite program for homeless patients suffering from ailments ranging from cancer to broken bones. HHC is the principal, private, not-for-profit community-based agency serving the region’s homeless population. The seven-bed respite care unit allows guests who need it access to bed rest even during the day. Specialized staff ensure that guests facing health care challenges are linked to the medical and social services they need to move toward a full recovery.

Guests include patients who:

• Were recently discharged from a hospital and require care they would normally get from a visiting nurse and/or family member at home. This would include individuals recovering from day surgery.

• Are receiving chemotherapy or other treatments that require special medications, access to facilities, bed rest or long recuperation that would normally be provided at home.

• Have been released from an inpatient psychiatric facility but are still adjusting to new medications or lack the coping skills to manage in a traditional shelter.

• Become medically unstable and would have to be transported to the hospital emergency department (ED) if supervised respite space were not available. Respite provides a safe alternative where ED care is not medically necessary.

• Have common medical conditions such as flu, broken bones, infections and other conditions that would keep an individual with housing at home.

The respite shelter combines a stable living environment, access to medical care and case management support into a package to dramatically improve health outcomes.

Who is it for?

Homeless patients needing post-acute care follow-up.

Why do they do it?

Three years ago, representatives from the HHC, L+M Hospital, and L+M’s home health agency, the VNA of Southeastern Connecticut, collaborated to address a conundrum: A significant percentage of homeless patients who were treated and released from the ED with discharge plans for issues that ordinarily could be managed by self-care at home – or with skilled home health care – kept returning to the ED with follow-up needs arising from the lack of a clean, safe, reliable setting for recuperation.

Impact

The unit, which has served 100 people in the last 12 months, has resulted in a more effective partnership among L+M’s social workers, the HHC staff, and the L+M ED. This improves health outcomes, allows for quicker releases from the ED, and reduces avoidable readmissions. Respite interventions also help prevent manageable illnesses from worsening. The respite unit also better supports individuals with complex medical needs, and allows for better care of patients with a psychiatric diagnosis after they are discharged from L+M’s behavioral health unit, Pond House. And, because few respite guests have only one issue, the unit is also a resource for helping people navigate myriad post-hospital health care and housing challenges. With efforts from HHC staff, the VNA, an L+M social worker, and L+M’s financial support, needed services are put in place more effectively.

Contact: Laurel Holmes
Director, Community Partnerships & Population Health
Telephone: 860-271-4698
Email: lholmes@lmhosp.org