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Recuperative Care Unit


Medical Care For San Diego's Homeless

San Diego Rescue Mission is pleased to announce a new program called the Recuperative Care Unit (RCU). This program addresses the critical need of housing supportive services for homeless individuals requiring medical attention.

The RCU offers up to 32 patients a safe and supportive environment, meals, oversight of medical treatment, and follow-up care. The program also helps patients establish eligibility for public benefits and works to secure them long-term housing.

Why Recuperative Care is so important:



Many homeless individuals have medical problems (See side bar)

  • Some have broken bones on the mend, dressings to be changed, or chronic conditions like diabetes to be managed.

  • Other individuals just need rest, proper nutrition, and special care to recover their strength.

Trying to survive on the streets can easily hinder recovery

  • Factors such as inadequate meals, lack of clean/sanitary facilities, and inability to maintain a schedule can turn a manageable condition into a life-threatening one.

Hospitals need a place to release homeless patients

  • Often times after hospitals release homeless individuals to the streets, they quickly return to emergency rooms and must be re-admitted to hospitals. In an attempt to prevent re-admission, some hospitals delay the release of homeless patients for several costly days beyond the standard of care.

This type of program saves tax-payer dollars and helps keep health care costs down for everyone

  • Hospitalization costs approximately $1400 per day per individual

  • SDRM's Recuperative Care Unit can provide a safe and appropriate environment for recovery at a fraction of that cost.

  • Patients who have the opportunity to fully recover are more likely to follow aftercare instructions, and are less likely to need repeat hospitalization for their current condition.

Ultimately, the new RCU will enable the Mission to serve more homeless men and women and rescue them from the streets.





Medical problems common among homeless people:
Respiratory infections, HIV, TB, STD's, infestations (scabies, lice, etc.),.skin infection chronic viral hepatitis.

Muscle skeletal problems: foot diseases, post-traumatic arthritis, chronic pain syndromes.

Psychiatric disease: Underlying severe mental illness, undiagnosed mental illness, post traumatic stress disorder and other resultant mental illness from homelessness.

Substance abuse related illness: Permanent sequelae of substance abuse, brain dysfunction liver disease, lung and heart disease.

Chronic diseases: diabetes, hypertension, COPD.

Diseases of neglect: nutritional problems, dental disease.

***This outline was prepared by Barry Zevin, MD, Medical Director of the Tom Waddell Health Center , 50 Lech Walesa St., S.F., CA