New Collaborative Medical Respite Care Site Fills Gap in Care
Milwaukee County has seen a steady increase in recent years in the number of people 60 and older seeking safe shelter and services, particularly those also experiencing significant health issues and in need of medical respite care. A 2021 Milwaukee Health Care Partnership (MHCP)-commissioned study also demonstrated this gap in medical respite services, noting that available services do not meet total demand and pose barriers to entry for high-need populations. The same scope of services and gaps persist today.
A new partnership between the Milwaukee health systems – Ascension Wisconsin, Aurora Health Care, Children’s Wisconsin, and Froedtert ThedaCare – Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Housing Services and Adult Protective Services, and Outreach Community Health Centers aims to fill this gap with a new low-barrier, medical respite program, with a heightened focus on serving older adults.
“This collaborative medical respite care site is a perfect example of how we can better serve residents by working together,” said Shakita LaGrant-McClain, Executive Director, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. “Each partner, public and private, brings their assets and expertise to ensure vulnerable individuals who are regularly left with no options get the care they need to heal properly and receive services in the future.”
Located at an Outreach Community Health Centers (OCHC) property, the program provides safe, short-term medical respite housing and coordinated care for medically complex adults and families experiencing homelessness. The site is open 24/7 and has a capacity of 20 beds. It provides nursing care, behavioral health care, medical support, case management, housing navigation, and benefits assistance, among other services. As the only low-barrier medical respite site of its kind, individuals experiencing substance or alcohol abuse are eligible for care.
“The low-barrier nature of the site is new to our system and has been a significant gap in care for years,“ said Julia Harris-Robinson, President and CEO, OCHC. “We have already received a great reception from patients and system partners and look forward to exploring ways to continue to collaborate and grow to meet the needs of the community.”
Housing Services employees staff the respite site and refer patients to OCHC clinics to establish medical, behavioral health, or substance use care. The Aurora Mobile Medical team has also provided significant care support. The public-private partnership enables a full range of services for patients and efficiently leverages resources and capabilities across partners.
While services are largely available by health system referral, there is also a dedicated overflow family space to facilitate late-night discharges from area hospitals or referrals from outreach teams and public safety officials.
Since opening in April, the site has admitted 36 individuals, with an average utilization of 88%. As of June 15, 17 patients have been discharged, with the majority entering into temporary housing. The average length of stay is approximately 19 days.
Primary funders include Ascension Wisconsin, Aurora Health Care, Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert ThedaCare, Outreach Community Health Centers, and Milwaukee County DHHS Housing Services. The Milwaukee County DHHS also received an Elder Justice grant, administered by the Administration for Community Living.