Operating Support for House of Mercy: Low-income AIDS Ministry https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/proposals-2012/operating-support-for-house-of-mercy-low-income-aids-ministry https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/@@site-logo/sitelogo-75x75.png

Operating Support for House of Mercy: Low-income AIDS Ministry

Additional Information
Used for	Grant funds would help pay for caregivers' salaries and program expenses (24 hour care; coordination of clinical treatments and transportation to medical and supplemental services) for House of Mercy residents. The core mission of House of Mercy is to provide specialized, compassionate care in a residential setting for low-income persons living with AIDS who can no longer care for themselves and face homelessness. The Sisters of Mercy provide funds to cover all of our administrative expenses.
Benefits	House of Mercy provides palliative services for those near end of life and also helps patients who have a chance of getting better. When provided with good care and proper medication in a stable environment, some patients even in advanced stages of AIDS can improve. During the past year, 75% of our residents discharged from House of Mercy on antiretroviral medications returned to their home communities with improved health and 7 of our residents died with dignity in a supportive community.
Proposal Description	The Centers for Disease Control reports in the US: the South accounts for 45% of new AIDS diagnoses, has 40% of people estimated to be living with AIDS, and 48% of deaths of persons diagnosed with AIDS. The NC Division of Public Health estimates over 35,000 North Carolinians are living with HIV or AIDS. As of December 31, 2011 there were 6,324 reported HIV disease cases living in our 10-county service area (southern piedmont of NC). Average House of Mercy Demographics: 72% African-American; 26% Caucasian; 1% Hispanic; 1% Native American; 72% Male; 28% Female; 8% Ages 20 – 29 years; 41% Ages 30 – 39 years; 35% Ages 40 – 49 years; 16% Ages 50 years and older. Current Residents: 64% African-American; 36% Caucasian; 64% Male; 36% Female. Not only residents benefit from House of Mercy's services. We provide great comfort to friends and family members who are no longer able to provide care for their loved ones, especially elderly parents. Nearly all House of Mercy residents have become Medicaid-eligible because the expense of fighting their illness has exhausted their personal resources. Most residents have had low incomes and health insurance hasn’t been an option. Coordinated HIV care is a central element of House of Mercy’s program of services. Our client-focused strategy for coordinating care includes assessing a client’s need for specific health, psychological and social services; and assisting the client to access a wide range of services that will address those needs. Components of coordinated care include resident admission and assessment, development of a care plan including long term needs, ongoing coordination of medical services, monitoring the resident's health, and discharge planning when needed. Grant funds would help pay for caregivers' salaries and program expenses (24 hour care, clinical treatments, supplemental services) at the House of Mercy residence.