Activated Respite during COVID-19
Activated Respite provides isolation/quarantine and low acuity medical step down for people experiencing homelessness with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in various Denver motels and hotels.
Candidates for Admission
- Proof of recent positive COVID test and need to be in isolation
- Symptoms of COVID-19, (regardless of whether they were tested) and requiring isolation. “Symptoms” = Fever/feeling feverish, new onset cough, new difficulty breathing)
- All individuals must be independent in their ADLs, continent of bowel and urine, safe without supervision in a motel room, and able to ask for help.
These individuals cannot be admitted at this time:
- “Close contacts” of individuals who have COVID cannot be admitted for quarantine.
- Individuals with a positive COVID test in the 90 days prior, & should not have been re-tested.
- Individuals with muscle/body aches, vomiting or diarrhea, congestion or runny nose, and new loss of taste/smell.
- Should get tested and isolate from others, until receiving test results.
-This advice may change if the prevalence of COVID -19 in particular congregate shelters increases.
Services in Activated Respite
Single occupancy motel rooms with meals provided. Minimal on-site medical, behavioral health and case management support, discharge planning provided by Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. There are also on-site managers and staff from Denver Human Services to assist patients, and security, National Guard enforcing isolation. Activated Respite is NOT a skilled nursing or assisted living facility.
Length of Stay in Activated Respite
While there is no set amount of time that guests can remain in Activated Respite, guests typically stay in Activated Respite rooms for an average of 7-14 days. Decisions about length of stay are made on a case-by-case basis by on-site integrated health team including medical providers, nurses, behavioral health providers and case managers at each site in accordance with CDC guidelines for isolation. If a guest leaves Activated Respite they forfeit their bed.
We are accepting referrals from homeless service providers and hospitals for Activated Respite for people experiencing homelessness. Please click on the appropriate tab below to learn about the referral process.
Appropriate Patients for Activated Respite
Activated Respite is intended for people experiencing homelessness who are identified by Shelter Providers as having symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, coughing, and shortness of breath regardless of whether they were tested), or who have medical paperwork indicating they are COVID-positive or were tested. In addition, individuals must be independent with ADLs and safe unsupervised in a motel room with once daily follow up from a medical provider. Guests must be able to ask for help when needed.
Note: Please see Non-Clinical Triage Tool provided by CCH for screening guidelines. If you have questions about screening contact the CCH Medical Patient Assistance Line at (303) 312-9800.
Referral Process
Denver-based service providers can refer guests to Activated Respite. If you identify a person with symptoms of COVID-19 complete the Activated Respite Referral Form available HERE and email it to activatedrespite@coloradocoalition.org.
CCH will contact the person making the referral to accept or deny the referral within one hour depending on acuity and bed availability. If the referral has been accepted, CCH staff will arrange transportation if during dispatch hours every day between 6am-10pm.
Please refer to Homeless Service Providers Activated Respite Referral Guide available HERE for details. Do the best you can to maintain social distancing of at least six feet or have client remain in separate room or space while waiting for transport.
Appropriate Patients for Activated Respite
Patients from Denver-based hospitals or testing facilities can be referred to Activated Respite. Patients outside of Denver can be referred if they were transported to that facility by Denver Health Paramedics.
Activated Respite is for people experiencing homeless who are COVID-positive, or who are symptomatic with suspected disease (e.g., test pending) who are medically stable for discharge, but do not have the ability to self-quarantine. Patients must be able to be independent with ADLs and safe unsupervised in a motel room with once daily follow up from a nurse or medical provider. Patients need to be able to ask for help when needed. In general, patients with high acuity medical needs, active substance withdrawal and/or high concern for impending withdrawal, and those requiring assistance with ADLs are NOT eligible for low acuity medical respite in motel rooms. Patients should be discharged with a minimum of 48-hour supply of medications. If oxygen needs, this must be arranged prior to discharge.
Note: If the patient is determined to be unsafe for low acuity respite in a motel room, the patient will be transported back to the sending facility.
Referral Process
All requests for Activated Respite are prioritized through a centralized 24/7 Medical Patient Assistance Line, staffed by RNs at Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH).
When a patient with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 who is experiencing homelessness is determined to be medically stable for discharge and requires isolation/quarantine, hospital staff should complete the Activated Respite Referral Form available HERE and email it to activatedrespite@coloradocoalition.org.
CCH will contact the person making the referral to accept or deny the referral within one hour depending on acuity and bed availability. If the referral has been accepted, CCH staff will notify hospital staff of the location and contact dispatch to arrange transportation if during dispatch hours every day between 6am-10pm for hospitals located in Denver. If referral needs to be made after 10pm and before 6am or the hospital is outside of Denver, the referral staff will need to arrange their own transportation.
Please refer to the Hospital and Testing Site Protocol for Activated Respite Referrals Guide for details HERE.
To talk directly to a CCH nurse, contact the Medical Patient Assistance line between 6:00am and 10:00pm at 303-312-9800 AFTER submitting the referral form.