Doorways Supportive Housing Facility Print E-mail
DOORWAYS





DOORWAYS
DOORWAYS’ Supportive Housing Facility (DSHF) opened in 1997 to serve people who were unable to live independently as a result of HIV/AIDS. The fully accessible three-story building offers 36 private rooms with baths, 24-hour supervision and nursing care, a dining room, commercial kitchen, recreational areas, and administrative offices. Through an agreement with SSM Home Care, program staffing includes registered nurses and certified nurses’ aides who work with physicians to establish treatment plans and oversee complicated medical protocols. Social services for residents are provided by a clinical Social Worker, while an Activities Coordinator organizes internal programs, external field trips, and pastoral care. Transportation to physicians is provided. DSHF is licensed in the State of Missouri as a Residential Care Facility. It is the only program of its kind in the region and was one of the first in the United States to provide intensive residential services to PLWA.

The face of AIDS has changed since DSHF opened its doors, and advances in treatment have made a return to independence a viable goal for many residents. As the population of PLWA has become poorer, DOORWAYS’ resources have been challenged to coordinate services that respond to more complex needs. Mental health diagnoses, chronic substance abuse histories, complicating dementias, and/or physical limitations create obstacles that impact the majority of DSHF residents. Nevertheless, last year, 76% of clients exited DSHF to independent life, and only 4% of returned for another engagement. The average income available to residents increased by 31%, as 100% of those who were admitted with no available income were connected to government-funded financial benefits. All new DSHF residents achieved measurable health improvements as a result of services delivered. Through DSHF, DOORWAYS offers people living with this disease a pathway to recovery and healing that respects the demands of their advancing illness, and still offers hope for the reclaiming of a higher quality of life. Whether moving out or achieving stability at DSHF represents the ultimate goal, DOORWAYS’ strives to meet the immediate and long range goals of residents.

Major funding for DOORWAYS Supportive Housing Facility has been provided by:

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