Since 2019, Sojourner House, in collaboration with MacNeal Hospital and Housing Forward, has been a vital medical respite program, offering a secure and supportive environment for individuals experiencing homelessness to recuperate and heal after hospital discharge. Recent enhancements, including the installation of indoor and outdoor lifts, have significantly improved accessibility for patients at Sojourner House.
Dr. Charles Bareis, Chief Medical Officer at MacNeal Hospital, emphasized the importance of these improvements, stating, “Access has been a major challenge for patients entering and leaving the house. Patients with various conditions such as leg wounds, amputations, fractures, septic joints, and heart failure often struggled with the stairs. This new development is fantastic for enhancing the safety and ease of access for everyone at Sojourner House.”
Medical respite care programs like Sojourner House are crucial because, without them, homeless patients are frequently discharged back into homelessness, hindering their recovery due to the lack of stable housing. By providing a safe haven post-hospitalization, the Respite Program demonstrably improves patient health outcomes, decreases emergency room visits and hospital readmissions, and connects patients to essential ongoing primary care. Once patients are medically stable at Sojourner House, they are then assisted in transitioning to long-term supportive housing solutions.
Prior to Sojourner House, medical respite options were available in DuPage County and Chicago, but suburban Cook County lacked such resources. Dr. Bareis recognized this critical gap in care for homeless patients after they left the hospital. Working with Housing Forward and the Oak Park housing authority, he sought solutions for patients within MacNeal’s service area. The housing authority undertook a significant renovation of a 105-year-old stucco building, transforming it into Sojourner House. This newly renovated space features individual apartments, promoting patient independence during their recovery journey.
Dr. Bareis remains deeply involved in the program, conducting weekly rounds with residents and collaborating with Housing Forward’s community nurse, Arletta Curtis, to coordinate patient care. Beyond medical attention, which includes IV therapy, physical and occupational therapy, the program provides nutritional support through food donations from Beyond Hunger and MacNeal’s Food Surplus Program, along with nutritional counseling. Case managers are also integral to the program, assisting patients with medical appointments and preparing them for their future beyond Sojourner House, including securing stable housing.
Holly Rotman-Zaid, Director of Medical Respite at Housing Forward, highlights the profound impact of the program: “We often hear from individuals, ‘you saved my life.’ We offer not just a place to live, but also the hope that a fulfilling life is still possible.”
Thomas, a resident at Sojourner House, credits the medical respite program and Dr. Bareis with giving him a renewed chance at life. Following severe injuries requiring neurosurgery, Sojourner House provided Thomas with the necessary environment to rest and fully recover. He has since been placed in a Permanent Housing Program through Housing Forward, tailored to clients with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
The team at Housing Forward is dedicated to fostering a sense of community for Sojourner House residents. Holiday and birthday celebrations are regularly held in the house’s common area, which also boasts a substantial library of donated books. This community spirit is instrumental in creating a stable foundation, enabling patients to progress positively after their recovery.
Rotman-Zaid further explains the program’s approach: “We strive to provide trauma-informed care. Patients arrive with the trauma of homelessness, and medical issues can be retraumatizing. We make a conscious effort to accept individuals where they are, support them, and guide them towards taking control of their own lives.”
