Weekly Encampment Update (Pierce County): July 18, 2022

Updates on the "Bridges of Peace" Medical Respite Program: 3 residents respiting with 2 more anticipated admits this week: One female resident required a trip to the ER for lymphedema and cellulitis of an upper arm wound that required care. Transport was provided by a MRC nurse. Another female resident was diagnosed with kidney failure after receiving chemotherapy for a diagnosis of cancer The third resident was a male diagnosed with HIV To date, there have been few, if any, healthcare system referrals to this program. The majority of referrals are coming directly from street caseworkers and treatment centers, making financial stability of this program a challenge. Keep in mind if "Bridges of Peace" was not in existence, these patients would be recuperating on the street. Any financial support would be greatly appreciated considering the need for medical respite in our homeless communities. We learned also of another male homeless resident who frequented an area ER who died of an overdose on Fentanyl soon after being discharged from the healthcare center. Three Pierce County encampments were visited this week. We're still seeing lots of untreated wounds, cellulitis, substance use disorders (SUD), and mental illnesses among most residents of encampments. Drug use and weapons are openly displayed. Central and downtown Tacoma appear to have the most active sites and caution is warranted when visiting these encampments. These encampment residents were seen this week & will require follow up: A debilitated, incontinent, wheelchair-bound 34 year old woman was assessed by Tacoma Fire Department a couple times this week and will remain on the radar weekly--she continues to decline medical services when offered, but hygiene items were left with her and she has an elderly couple close by, watching over her. They were instructed on s/s to report and when to call 911 should this young woman's condition deteriorate. A frightened 75 year old woman in the same encampment has been referred to a local women's & children's shelter. There were no other specific medical needs identified. We are on the lookout for a 15 year old homeless young woman who is addicted to heroin who continues to be dropped off at the 173rd & A street encampment in the Spanaway/Parkland area. There is some good news to report as efforts to reach unsheltered individuals have made some progress: The 85 year old with heart disease living in a broken down van in the Pacific & 34th encampment was moved to a Veteran's encampment where resources could be delivered to him more effectively; it sounds like he is connected with case workers. Thank you to all who were involved in this situation. The two young women we have been following from last week were relocated to Portland where caseworkers from Ideal Options connected them with resources, thanks to Rebekah from I.O. Jay, from Lived Experiences Coalition (LEC), identified a 60 year old gentleman who had some stitches that were in need of removal and these were removed today, preventing a potentially worse medical outcome later. A 61 year old wheelchair-bound gentleman who was missing a leg and living without a vehicle or tent was indentified in Spanaway/Parkland and interviewed by a MRC nurse. He will be followed until he gets services. Shiloh Baptist has a male shelter which is closed for two weeks due to COVID, but will be contacted to help shelter this gentleman. He is not open to Tacoma Rescue Mission or Nativity House at this time. More to follow as updates happen! Thanks to all who are involved with continuing to remember our unsheltered neighbors throughout Pierce County!