We are pleased to share that our medical respite care program, ShelterCare Medical Respite, has become certified by The National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC), a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council! 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. You can learn more about our certification here: https://nhchc.org/medical-respite/nimrc/certification/
Not only is ShelterCare Medical Respite one of the first 15 programs in the country to receive this certification, but we are the first in the Pacific Northwest. See all 15 programs here: https://nhchc.org/fifteen-reasons-to-celebrate/
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/
Lead Service Coordinator,
ShelterCare Medical Respite
“This certification is a recognition of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of both staff and agency partners. This was a collaborative effort, and could not have been achieved without some of our community partners, such as Burrito Brigade and the Alliance for Community Wellness. Our certification is in some ways a measure of the level of success for our participants. SMR would not have been able to be certified if the results weren’t demonstrated in the population that we serve. The process was long, but easy. It never felt like an unattainable goal because the standards of care that are outlined in the Respite criteria are the kind of supports and services that our entire staff wants to provide. It was like we got permission to be as excellent as we’d dreamed we could be. We’re hoping that this achievement and recognition will allow us the opportunity to expand and improve our services in our community and to raise awareness about the importance of medical respite shelters on a national level. This is our opportunity to lead by example, in a way that is formally recognized and professionally executed.”