The Effects of Respite Care for Homeless Patients:
Description:
Homeless individuals experience high rates of physical and mental illness, increased mortality, and frequent hospitalizations. Respite care provides homeless individuals with housing and services allowing more complete recovery from illnesses and stabilization of chronic conditions. In this study, the authors report on the impact of respite care on 225 hospitalized homeless adults. Their cohort was separated into 2 groups: (1) patients referred and accepted into the respite center and (2) patients referred but denied admission because beds were unavailable. All patients met the center’s predefined eligibility criteria. Main outcome measures were inpatient days, emergency department visits, and outpatient clinic visits. "The 2 groups had similar demographic characteristics, admitting diagnoses, and patterns of medical care use at baseline. During 12 months of follow-up, the respite care group required fewer hospital days than the usual care group (3.7 vs 8.3 days; P=.002), with no differences in emergency department or outpatient clinic visits. Individuals with HIV/AIDS experienced the greatest reduction in hospital days. From their findings, the authors conclude that after a homeless patient is discharged from the hospital, respite care reduces these patients’ future hospitalizations. (Authors)
Type of Resource:
Journal
Publication Date:
2006
Volume:
96
Issue:
7
Pages:
1278-1281
Source:
96(7)1278-1281