2012 Medical Respite Program Directory: Descriptions of Medical Respite Programs in the United States and Canada

The Medical Respite Program Directory provides profiles of Medical Respite Programs in the United States and Canada (NHCHC).

Medical respite care is acute and post-acute medical care for homeless persons who are too ill or frail to recover from a physical illness or injury on the streets, but who are not ill enough to be in a hospital. Unlike “respite” for caregivers, “medical respite” is short-term residential care that allows homeless individuals the opportunity to rest in a safe environment while accessing medical care and other supportive services. Medical respite care is offered in a variety of settings including freestanding facilities, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and transitional housing (NHCHC).