Healthy Living

Many people don’t realize the connection between basic needs and health.

We see this correlation every day.

Improper nutrition leads major health problems. Being cold causes frostbite and hypothermia. Lack of availability of primary care leads to unnecessary emergency room visits.

Homeless people face all of these issues, right here in eastern Connecticut.

One night in January 2011, there was a census taken of homelessness in Connecticut. It was alarming to say the least.

A January 2011 census taking of homelessness in Connecticut showed an alarming number of people experiencing long bouts of homelessness. Families comprised one third of total people counted as “living in places unintended for habitation” such as the woods, on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or emergency shelters each year, according to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness.

Judi Gaudet, Site Manager of Generations Family Health Center in Norwich and Manager of the Healthcare for the Homeless Program said, “It is astounding how many young kids are counted among the homeless in Norwich alone.”

She attributes this to the economic downturn and unemployment, resulting in an increase in the cost of living, but decreasing median household income. There is a subsequent increase in stress, family strife, abusive behaviors, housing instability, and foreclosures.

Backus Hospital is once again partnering with Generations Family Health Center to participate in Project Homeless Connect.

This program started in 2004 in San Francisco, and was so successful, it is now replicated in hundreds of locations across the country.

The mission is to provide a single location with comprehensive health and human services for the homeless population.

Gaudet, a tireless advocate for the homeless, was instrumental in organizing the local Project Homeless Connect in 2006.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, Oct 21, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at St. Bernard’s School in Uncasville.

Bus transportation will be provided to the event, where over 50 area social service organizations, local businesses, healthcare agencies, and more than 100 volunteers will all be on hand to provide a variety of services to the homeless population.

Generations Family Health Center will be on the Backus Mobile Health Resource Center to provide primary care, including flu shots.

Health care professionals from Backus Home Health Care will provide foot care clinic, which includes a glucose screening, taking blood pressures and nutrition counseling.

Gaudet said that besides medical care and dental outreach, other services offered will be free haircuts, distribution of winter jackets and blankets, assistance with mental health issues, legal issues, substance abuse issues, housing, and employment opportunities.

Recognizing this, Backus Home Health Care staff is donating sleeping bags, toiletries, jackets, blankets and tents.

Although the connection between basic needs and healthcare may not be obvious, it is strong. We need to find ways to reach this population before they end up hospital emergency rooms, which can be very costly and are not always equipped to handle these issues. The good news is Gaudet expects 300-400 individuals to be served at this event.

Alice Facente is a registered nurse and clinical educator at the The William W. Backus Hospital Education Department. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org