Here’s one of the vivid ways in which grants from Fallon/OrNda have made an impact.
• A 46 year-old man who was living at a shelter in Worcester suffered from osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone. He had undergone several surgeries but developed an infection that threatened to require the amputation of his leg below the knee. Poor nutrition further compromised his condition and impacted his chances for a full recovery. Community Healthlink’s Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project (HOAP) medical team intervened on the man’s behalf and he was referred to Healthlink’s Medical Respite Program.
The program’s medical team and paraprofessional staff made sure the patient was able to keep his hospital appointments, get appropriate meals, and care for his wound properly. He spent 31 days at Community Healthlink before staff was able to arrange his transfer to a local rest home, where he completed the healing process. The care he received through this intervention helped avert the amputation of his ankle.
As the only service of its kind in Central Massachusetts, Community Healthlink’s Medical Respite Program has demonstrated its value by helping 152 adults since 2002. Sixty-six of these respite patients have been placed in permanent or temporary housing available through Community Healthlink and other local agencies, or referred to long-term or assisted living facilities.
This is especially significant in a city where the homeless population has been estimated at 2500 to 3000 people annually.
Donations like those from Fallon/OrNda Community Health Fund do make difference! |
