In 2009, at least 1,550 people visited RiverStone Health Clinic's Health Care for the Homeless program, an increase of 500 people [32%] over 2008.
By the end of the year, that number is sure to grow even larger, according to Carol Blank, manager of the program.
On average, the clinic logs between 600 and 700 visits with homeless patients each month, meaning many return two, three and four times for medical aid, Blank said.
The number visiting the clinic's program is just a fraction of the entire homeless population in Yellowstone County.
There are four clinics in Billings designed to provide temporary medical services for the homeless and to facilitate ongoing medical care for those remaining in the Billings area.
The program provides routine preventive health care, immunizations, acute/chronic illness care, mental health care and therapy, assessment of chemical dependency, counseling, emergency dental care and financial assistance for prescriptions. Case management services are offered to assist in obtaining assistance through other local agencies.
Though medical care is available to the homeless, the odds of living healthy lives on the streets are slim. Life expectancy is shorter, and some never make it.
Consider this:
At any age, homeless people are three times more likely to die than their housed peers.
Life expectancy for the homeless averages 50 years, compared to 78 years for the general population.
The difficulty getting rest, staying on a medication schedule, eating well, staying clean and warm prolong and exacerbate illnesses and injuries, sometimes becoming deadly.
That is why for the 17th year, RiverStone Health Healthcare for the Homeless encourages the community to participate in a special vigil for remembering the homeless who have died in the past year.
“The purpose is to shake us out of our comfort zone and all of the things we take for granted,” Blank said.
The ceremony will be on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn at noon Dec. 21, the first day of winter and longest night of the year. County Commissioner Bill Kennedy will read the homeless proclamation at the event. Those without food and shelter, including families with children, will also be honored at the ceremony.
Those attending are asked to contribute new hats, gloves, mittens and socks of any size or color to be distributed to Healthcare for the Homeless patients.
“The problem of homelessness in Yellowstone County continues to be a significant community concern,” said Clarence Salley with RiverStone Health Healthcare for the Homeless. “The candlelight vigil provides not only an opportunity to remember homeless people who have passed on this year, but it is also an opportunity to honor homeless people living in our community.”
Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, which was started by the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Consumer Advisory Board and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, is celebrated across the United States.
Contact Cindy Uken at cuken@billingsgazette.com or 657-1287.
