AR 2018 Spreads

Recuperative Care
Before Mercy Care started its Recuperative Care program in 2010, hospitals were
challenged with how to avoid discharging the homeless back to the street or to shelters.
Without a place to heal, they would often end up back in the hospital’s ER or hospitalized
again. While in Recuperative Care for 30 days, Mercy Care’s staff provides healthy meals,
a safe, clean, temporary home in which to recover, facilitates appointments with health
providers, ensures patients are taking and tolerating medication, and catch potential
complications quickly. They also educate patients and help with mental health or addiction
issues. As a result, over half of Recuperative Care patients are discharged to the care of
family or housing. In 2018, Mercy Care opened a second Recuperative Care program at the
City of Refuge.
• Average number of
patients in program was
14 (19 beds available).
1,483
health education
visits.
• Average length of stay
was 36 days.
• 57 percent were housed
at the end of their stay.
• 32 percent received
assistance with benefits
(food stamps, income,
etc.).
2017 Community Report
36