OUR HOUSE OF PORTLAND INC

OUR HOUSE PROVIDES 24 HOUR SPECIALIZED NURSING CARE AND SERVICES IN A RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR THOSE WITH ADVANCED HIV WHO REQUIRE INTENSIVE CARE. IN ADDITION TO HIV AND RELATED PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES, MANY RESIDENTS ALSO SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND/OR HISTORIES OF HOUSELESSNESS. IN THE PAST SIX-MONTH PERIOD A TOTAL OF 22 RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE SERVED THROUGH THE OUR HOUSE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM.RESIDENTS OF OUR HOUSE ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY OUR STAFF AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. PRIOR TO MARCH 2020, THESE OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE SWIMMING, BOWLING, BINGO, CREATIVE WRITING, GARDENING, CRAFTS AND MORE. WE ALSO HAVE OUTINGS TO PARKS, MUSEUMS, MOVIES, THE COAST AND SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENTS. IN MARCH 2020 WHEN COVID -19 HIT OUR COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNOR IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES, WE HAD TO RE-ARRANGE OUR ACTIVITIES. UNTIL IT IS ONCE AGAIN SAFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO BE IN THE PUBLIC FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, WE HAVE BEEN GETTING CREATIVE WITH WHAT WE CAN DO IN THE BUILDING TO KEEP THEM ENGANGED AND ACTIVE. WE GO FOR GROUP WALKS/RIDES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS WILL VENTURE OUT ON THEIR OWN WALKS OR WHEELCHAIR RIDES. OUR THERAPEUTIC GARDEN CONTINUES TO BE A PLACE THEY CAN ENJOY NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS, WHILE FEELING SAFE AT THE SAME TIME. ALL RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH VISUAL AND OTHER PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS, ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPEND TIME OUTDOORS WHEN POSSIBLE. THE WORK AT OUR HOUSE CONTINUALLY EVOLVES, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE EVER CHANGING HIV VIRUS AND THE COMPLEXITY OF OUR RESIDENTS. MUCH OF OUR RECENT WORK IS CENTERED AROUND ADDRESSING COMPLEX CO-MORBIDITIES, AS WELL AS DIFFICULT BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE ISSUES. OUR CONTINUING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE CENTERED AROUND CURRENT ISSUES OF BEHAVIOR, NUTRITION, DIVERSITY AND OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS.

THE AWARD-WINNING NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING & CARE PROGRAM (NHCP) PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING AS WELL AS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV WHO WISH TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY, PROFESSIONALLY LICENSED CARE TEAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH NURSING SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. THE NHCP STAFF IS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT ISSUES AFFECTING PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV, COMMUNITY RESOURCES & NAVIGATING HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. OUR TEAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH SECURING AND MAINTAINING PERMANENT HOUSING. OUR TEAM PROVIDES HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, EDUCATION AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, COORDINATION AND ASSISTANCE TO PERFORM SELF AND HOUSEHOLD CARE, COORDINATION OF HOUSING SUPPORT, COUNSELING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT, HOME SAFETY, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT AND CONNECTION IN THE COMMUNITY. A STRONG CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES HELPS CLIENTS MEET MATERIAL, EMOTIONAL, HEALTH, VOCATIONAL AND LEISURE NEEDS. WE ALSO PROVIDE CAREGIVER EDUCATION, TRAINING, CONSULTATION AND PRACTICE OF LIFE AND COPING SKILLS. THIS SIX-MONTH PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 47 CLIENTS WERE SERVED.