We partner with community organizations that support people facing significant challenges to their well-being. It’s our mission to help facilitate the life-changing work of organizations handling the toughest socioeconomic barriers to ongoing health: housing, food insecurity, transportation, and isolation. We know that to empower whole-person care for everyone and to effectively partner with organizations with years of experience elevating care in their communities — we must first deeply understand each issue.
Where we focus our time, energy, and resources to uplift our communities
Housing
Access to safe, affordable, and supportive housing is a critical health intervention and a catalyst for lasting wellness for people experiencing homelessness. According to the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), supportive housing can aid in recovery, prevent new illness or injury, improve access to high-quality, coordinated care, and promote overall healthier living. In many ways, housing is a cornerstone of wellness, and CSH approaches housing as a form of health care. Housing can make a significant difference in people’s care journeys — especially when the 30-day inpatient hospital readmission rate among patients experiencing homelessness was 50.8%, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The WellSky Foundation is proud to partner with community organizations that deliver housing solutions and services to people experiencing homelessness. Together, we expand our partner organizations’ reach and ability to deliver safe, effective housing.
Food insecurity
According to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), food insecurity impacts the health of people of all ages — causing increased risk of conditions including asthma, developmental risk, depression, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and more. Further, malnourishment is prevalent across the United States, and it is present in 30% to 50% of hospitalized patients age 60 or older, according to research published in U.S. National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine. For people with chronic diseases, malnourishment causes $15.5 billion in additional health care spending per year through longer lengths of stay and readmissions. Ensuring patients and people in need receive nutritious meals can help improve their recovery and wellness. That’s why the WellSky Foundation partners with organizations working to end food insecurity and malnutrition in their communities.
Transportation
At least 3.6 million individuals annually do not receive necessary medical care due to transportation barriers, according to Ride Health. Experts even posit that the actual number is potentially almost five times higher. Among older adults, lack of transportation is one of the leading challenges to accessing health services. According to research published in the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine, older adults living in rural areas and people with lower socioeconomic backgrounds faced higher rates of transportation barriers, which impacts their access to health care. That research states that “ultimately, transportation barriers may mean the difference between worse clinical outcomes that could trigger more emergency department visits and timely care that can lead to improved outcomes.” Our partnerships with organizations reducing transportation barriers in their communities help connect people with the care they need and achieve better health and wellness.
Isolation
Loneliness poses a dire threat to public health, exceeding that of obesity and smoking, according to research in a study called, Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection. According to the National Institute on Aging, both social isolation and loneliness, which are considered two separate factors, are linked to a higher risk of adverse medical conditions — including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. The epidemic of loneliness increases a person’s risk of an early death by 14%. The WellSky Foundation is proud to partner with organizations building community and company for older people in need of connection.
