Vorheriger Tag Vorheriger Tag
Nächster Tag Nächster Tag
Day 10

A bandage for a homeless person in Germany

A hospital apartment for the homeless A hospital apartment for the homeless

A bandage for a homeless person in Germany
Day 10
Medical care for homeless people in Berlin

40-year-old Barbara normally lives on the street. The patient is actually a nursing case because she suffers from severe arthritis. She would hardly be able to recover from her illness on the street. Fortunately, she has found shelter in the Berlin hospital for the homeless. Now she can rest for a while in one of the shared rooms. Since autumn 2018, patients like Barbara have been treated here even without health insurance. At the other end of the corridor lies a man who broke his lower leg bone in an accident. The doctors put wires in him, but the wounds became infected. Since he also has no permanent place to live, he cannot care for his wounds properly. Now the wires have been removed and the man is recovering. But he, a 34-year-old diabetic, also has no health insurance, so this illness remained untreated for a long time. Now he is correctly put on insulin in Berlin's Turmstrasse. The staff are teaching him how to help himself.

Medical care for homeless people in Berlin
need
Inpatient medical care for the homeless.
activity
Caritas Berlin runs a hospital apartment for the homeless. Trained nursing staff look after the patients there.
Measurable performance
Number of homeless people treated and number of wounds treated.
Result
The health of the homeless improves. Poverty is counteracted by humane treatment.
Systemically relevant impact
The access of homeless people to the regular health care system will be improved in the long term.
background

Berlin - the capital of one of the richest countries in the world - is also considered the capital of the homeless. An estimated 6,000 homeless people live here. The reasons for this are the tense situation on the housing market and the migration of homeless people from other European countries. Most homeless people are not (adequately) covered by the standard medical care services. Although there are doctor's offices for the homeless, after being discharged from hospital or in the case of chronic illnesses, there is no way for them to recover in peace and in a protected area. The homeless also include many people from other European countries, particularly from countries east of Germany. Berlin, as a dynamic city in a wealthy country, attracts people who mostly live in poor conditions and hope to find work in Germany's capital. If this does not work, many have no other option than the streets. Unlike homeless German citizens, they are not entitled to social benefits and often - especially if they are not EU citizens - no health insurance either.

Before the hospital apartment was built, homeless people were often discharged from hospital to residential homes or cold-weather care facilities. However, there is no possibility of adequate medical and nursing care there. The hospital apartment is intended to close this gap in care. Through good care and support, homeless people can achieve the best possible physical and mental health.

Day 10 Day 10 Day 10
The good deed

Today's good deed will help acutely and chronically ill homeless people through inpatient medical treatment. The patients come to the sick home with skin diseases, wound infections, frostbite, respiratory diseases, but also with broken bones, stomach cramps or blood poisoning. What is already dangerous for everyone quickly becomes life-threatening on the street. However, not every emergency leads to admission to hospital or is treated appropriately. This gap in care is addressed with the sick home. Currently, up to 15 patients can stay there for a limited period of time and receive medical care. All guests are looked after by external volunteer doctors, nursing staff, assistants and a social worker. At the same time, the social work attempts to introduce the homeless to other counseling services and, in particular, to achieve reintegration into health insurance.

AboutGermany
Berlin
Berlin
Capital city
83,132,800
83,132,800
Population
$46,946
$46,946
Gross domestic product per capita per year
Rank 4 of 189
Rank 4 of 189
Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

No other country in Europe has more inhabitants and produces more goods and services than Germany. However, around 13 million people live in poverty or on the poverty line.

About the organization and further information

Organisation

Caritasverband für das Erzbistum Berlin e.V.

Caritas Gemeinschaftsstiftung: Qualitätssiegel für gute Treuhandverwaltung

organization

Caritas Association for the Archdiocese of Berlin eV

Caritas Community Foundation: Quality seal for good trust management

Further links