Chipping away at the cost of caring for the homeless, the city now has 60 respite beds for homeless people who have been discharged from a hospital but who still require medical care.
The 20 newest respite beds opened this month at the Denver Rescue Mission’s new Crossing shelter on Smith Road. The mission operates another 20 respite beds at a shelter on West Colfax Avenue. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless also operates 20 respite beds.
“These are for men only, men who medically can be discharged but not to the streets or shelters,” said Don Ronberger, the mission’s respite director. “And by placing these men in with our community (residents) at the Crossing, we hope some of them will ask about getting into our rehab program.”
Hospitalization is the single most expensive service for the homeless that the city provides. One night in Denver Health Medical Center costs the hospital $3,700, of which the city pays a portion.
Yet one night in a respite bed, including three meals, costs $20, which the city pays. The average stay for these patients is 15 days.
Should the patient require medical care, such as a visit by a nurse to change bandages or replenish an IV, it costs the city another $67 per visit.
Medical care for the homeless – of whom very few, if any, have health insurance – is expensive.
Peg Burnette, Denver Health’s chief financial officer, said the city paid the hospital $27 million for caring for the homeless in 2004. During that year, 1,074 homeless people were admitted for hospital stays.
“If someone is in a hospital bed, we’re going to staff them like any other hospital patient,” she said. “Discharging them … does free up the beds, as well as the staff and any equipment.”
The city’s Department of Human Services said other services for the homeless are expensive as well. One night in jail costs the city $174. One night at Denver C.A.R.E.S., the city’s detox center, costs $275. A month’s stay in an emergency shelter costs $775, according to human services.
The city’s 10-year Plan to End Homelessness has a goal of opening a total of 70 respite beds throughout the city.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at 303-820-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com.
