Backus Home Health Care to help homeless
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Before the shelters open for the winter, local agencies will band together to offer services and medical care to the city's homeless population.
On Oct. 17, more than 40 agencies will participate in a homeless outreach program as part of Project Homeless Connect, a national program to help the homeless access services that began in San Francisco in 2004. Project Homeless Connect has been implemented in 106 cities across the United States, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia.
Maryann Duchene, RN, Backus Home Health Care Behavioral Health Coordinator, said this is the second year Backus Home Health Care has been involved in the program. Nurses from the agency will provide stroke screenings, foot and wound assessments and will distribute winter clothing, sleeping bags and outerwear.
"Last year we were busy all four hours and we distributed two van loads of clothes, socks, blankets and sleeping bags," Ms. Duchene said. "The homeless population in the region is comfortable with us, and knows some of us from other outreach programs. The economy has made it really tough for a lot of people out there."
Nurses also will perform vital signs screenings and provide information about available services.
"From the beginning, nursing has been about community and public health and this is a good reminder of where nursing started and what it is all about," Ms. Duchene said. "It allows us to see people in their environment, and provide a service to a population that really needs it."
The staff at Backus Home Health Care also volunteers at the local soup kitchen during the winter months.
Judi Gaudet, LPN, outreach nurse for the Healthcare to the Homeless Program for Generations, who also is an employee of Backus Home Health Care, said last year approximately 100 people were served during the program. Other screenings available will include glaucoma and hearing tests. Through the donations of Generations employees, at least 10 pairs of eyeglasses will be purchased for those identified as needing them at the event.
The program will be at Norwich Adult Education, 182 Cedar St., from 8-11:30 a.m. American Ambulance Service will provide a free shuttle from the soup kitchen to the site throughout the program.
"We are focusing on providing medical care and connecting people with social services," Ms. Gaudet said. There will be information about shelters, energy assistance, treatment programs, food stamps and SAGA medical assistance. Representatives from the Department of Social Services also will available to assist families.
The Backus Mobile Health Resource Center also will be onsite, staffed by nurses from Generations Family Health Center.