Respite program offers guests a chance to heal physically, recover completely

For more than 120 years, Providence Alaska's commitment to provide for the poor and vulnerable in our state has been unwavering. In 2023, we invested $65 million in total benefit to the communities we serve, including $19 million in free and discounted care.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — James Norman uses a rolling knee scooter to get around at Brother Francis Shelter, easing the discomfort of the prosthetic he is using for his amputated left leg. He is at the shelter while being treated for kidney failure and awaiting a transplant while receiving weekly dialysis. That’s how this Juneau resident became a guest in Catholic Social Services’ Medical Respite program, which provides a haven for him to recover from his serious medical issues.   

James’ story is, unfortunately, all too familiar in Alaska. In 2023, a surge in those experiencing homelessness swept the state, with estimates showing as many as 2,200 people having nowhere permanent to live. When homelessness is combined with a serious medical diagnosis, suddenly survival becomes a fight for life.   

James’ predicament escalated in January when he was being treated for stage 5 kidney failure, after losing his leg to diabetes. Both conditions made him unable to continue his work driving big rigs for a marine petroleum company. When he became unable to work, he couldn’t pay rent. When he couldn’t pay rent, he began sleeping in his car. The stress of his illness made him susceptible to even more illness, and a case of influenza A resulted in a medevac from Juneau to Anchorage, where he is being treated today.   

The Medical Respite (MR) program has been serving the needs of critically ill individuals since 2015, when Providence Alaska provided $500,000 in community investment funding to create recuperative living quarters for patients experiencing homelessness. Brother Francis provides the living quarters for up to 10 qualified patients, and caregivers with Providence monitor the patients’ care with home health care nurses, social workers and other health care professionals who visit as needed.  

Providence continues to support the program, and in 2023 contributed $265,000 to help it continue its work.   

“We serve over 100 people a year in this space,” said Catholic Social Services (CSS) CEO Robin Dempsey. “By providing this space, where individuals can recuperate and rest, we are benefitting the community because this is reducing the rates of re-admittance. We are really working with the hospital to make sure the right patients have access.”    

The program has blossomed over the last nine years, Dempsey said. Not only has the respite program added an overall wellness aspect, but CSS also operates Complex Care (CC), a facility that acts as a next step for those facing chronic illnesses that require long-term support. Dempsey said many of their clients have transitioned from MR to CC.  

“It’s a continuum of care that tries to also provide individuals with as much independence as possible,” she said.   

Raeshawndra Jett is the respite center’s program manager, and she said that staff there takes a holistic approach to well-being. Yes, there is physical healing that must take place, but often the clients who are healing are also facing other difficulties, such as substance use, homelessness, physical abuse or some combination of challenges.   

“We have this holistic approach – mind, body, spirit – because all of that is connected in your health,” she said. “It’s not just about you coming in with a broken leg; it’s about you coming in with a broken spirit. A lot of our folks come in with broken spirits, and we have to find alternate ways to connect with them.”   

For instance, the program launched a community garden in 2020, which helps guests connect to the land, find focus in caring for plants and reacquaint themselves with wholesome food. In anticipation of finding a permanent place to live, they offer a six-week Crockpot Project, which teaches guests how to prepare low-cost nutritious meals on a budget. The program even offers outings to the theater, museum and local parks.   

“A lot of times, people don’t think about the small things, in regard to transitioning from homelessness to having a home,” she said of the Crockpot Project. “I try to make sure that I think about all of those components.”   

For James, the respite program has been most helpful in assisting him with getting to and from his dialysis treatments and with finding housing so he can have a permeant place to live — this time in Anchorage — where he can continue to receive the care he needs.  

“This place right here is a good place for me because it’s a stepping stone,” James said. “Before, when I was living in my car, my pride got in the way, but I have help here and a case manager who is really good. I am eating, I am resting. I am doing the legwork to get better.”  

Jett said seeing guests like James take charge of their situations is uplifting. The people who make their way to the Respite Program have their own stories and challenges to overcome, and she feels it is her job to make sure they are truly seen.   

Last year, for instance, Jett said the staff took a group to see “The Nutcracker.”   

“When we left, one of the guests came up to me and said, ‘Raeshawndra, that’s the first time I’ve felt like a human in 10 years. Nobody looked at me in judgment, nobody looked at me like a homeless person; people just thought I was a regular person coming to see “The Nutcracker.”’ Can you imagine the impact that those type of social, emotional outings have on our guests?”    

For James, he said the next step in his story is to find a way to make a living so he can bring his four children to live with him. They are the reason he stays focused on getting well. Sure, he could feel sorry for himself, but his smile says otherwise. An optimist at heart, James said he is determined to be in a better place this time next year.   

“The way I look at things is different than other people,” he said. “I’m still alive, I’m still breathing, and I’ve got my kids. They are my guides.”