Medical Respite At Salvation Army Emergency Lodge

WHAT IS MEDICAL RESPITE AND WHY IS IT ESSENTIAL? 

Medical respite bridges the critical gap in care for unhoused individuals who are too well to remain hospitalized but too ill to return to the streets. Research shows that without proper post-discharge care, individuals experiencing homelessness have significantly higher readmission rates - many within two weeks. Medical respite offers a cost-effective, dignified solution: a safe place to recover and access follow-up care while addressing the unique barriers faced by this population. It’s a compassionate and evidence-based approach to breaking the cycle of poor health and housing insecurity. Our program provides shelter for up to 20 individuals experiencing homelessness who need assistance in stabilizing their health. 

WHAT WE PROVIDE

• A safe, clean, 24-hour healing environment tailored to support recovery.
• A bed and dresser in a shared room and bathroom with up to three other residents of the same gender.
• A limited number of wheelchair-accessible rooms and bathrooms.
• Three meals per day are provided in the shelter’s cafeteria. 
• Free laundry facilities.
• Discharge plan coordination for seamless transitions from hospital to respite care.
• Secure medication storage (including refrigeration) and management assistance to ensure proper treatment. 
• Comprehensive case management to coordinate follow-up care and treatment, referrals to community resources, and a care plan to resolve their homelessness.
• Wound and post-surgery education and self-care management for sustainable health.
• Transportation and coordination for follow-up medical appointments.
• Behavioral health support integrated into the care plan.
• Access to prescribed home health services (wound care, PT, OT) for continued care.
• Around-the-clock access to compassionate staff who truly care.

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION

Client referrals to the medical respite program must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.
• Have a non-chronic, acute medical condition necessitating short-term supportive care. • Be free from communicable diseases.
• Be psychiatrically stable and not a danger to self or others.
• Not require a secure environment for dementia care.
• Be motivated to improve their health conditions by taking medications as prescribed, attending follow-up appointments, and complying with medical recommendations.
• Be independent with respect to feeding, dressing, toileting, and showering. The Respite program does not have nursing assistants or personal care workers to assist with these needs.
• Not be totally non-weight bearing. Individuals may use a wheelchair or walker but need to be able to transfer themselves without assistance. Toilets do not have modifications such as raised seats.
• Be able to administer and manage their own oxygen, if needed. 
• Not be a registered sex offenders or have a criminal history involving a sexually related crime, due to children and families residing at the Emergency Lodge. The Respite Intake Coordinator will conduct a background check.
• Be able to abide by the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge’s drug and alcohol-free policy. The use or possession of alcohol or other drugs (including the misuse of prescription medication) may be grounds for discharge. We do not accept referrals with known and current unprescribed opioid use.

REFERRAL PROCESS

We invite referrals from hospitals, clinics, individuals, and community-based social service professionals. To start the process, call or email asking if there are any openings at this time. If emailing, please address to both parties.

Respite Intake Coordinator (Tiffany)
414-265-6360 x145
tiffany.morgan@usc.salvationarmy.org

Respite RN (Rosanne)
414-265-6360 x139
rosanne.norwood@usc.salvationarmy.org

Contact should be made as soon as possible when a potential referral is identified to allow for maximum time to plan for availability and discharge planning. Referral decisions will be communicated within 48 hours (not including weekends) of receipt of complete records and screening information. We look forward to hearing from you.

Further details about the program and the complete referral process.

Location:

1730 N. 7th Street 
Milwaukee, WI 53205

The Salvation Army Emergency Lodge Medical Respite Program is certified by The National Institute for Medical Respite Care, a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. This serves as recognition that our program has 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.