MEDICAL RESPITE CARE
Understanding Medical Respite Care: A Simple Explanation
Think about this: You are nearing the end of a stay in the hospital after an illness or receiving some sort of procedure. As the staff prepares your discharge, you are given medication, follow-up appointment instructions, referrals to physical or occupational therapy, and guidance on how to ensure the success of your recovery. Then, someone who loves you picks you up from the hospital and takes you home and takes care of you for the next few weeks and makes sure you are following your discharge plan. There is not a physician or nurse at your home to make sure this happens, just people who care about you. Our guests don’t have that. That is what our medical respite program provides.
Public Statement on the Placer County Superior Court's Tentative Ruling
October 21, 2025
The Placer County Superior Court issued its tentative decision concluding The Gathering Inn did not violate any grant requirements related to community engagement. The Court also concluded the California Department of Social Services did not improperly award The Gathering Inn funds to purchase a planned respite facility in Lincoln. Specifically, the Court concluded the “plain language” of the grant application instructions did not support the City and District’s arguments that TGI was required to communicate with the City, District, or any other specific stakeholder.
The tentative decision further rejected the City’s claim of fraud against The Gathering Inn and its personnel. At today’s hearing, the City’s representative stated Lincoln would not contest the Court’s decision regarding fraud, and it will become final.
The Gathering Inn appreciates the Court’s careful consideration of the facts and looks forward to the final ruling and the opportunity to present its evidence on the remaining claims in the case.
The Gathering Inn is eager to open a new medical respite facility to provide compassionate, safe, and structured care for more medically fragile individuals experiencing homelessness.
No one should have to live on the streets while trying to recuperate from surgery, cancer treatment, dialysis, or a debilitating illness. Medical respite programs reduce homelessness, improve health outcomes, and restore dignity to those who need it most.
Placer County Superior Court's tentative rulings
Find the Placer County Superior Court's tentative rulings on page 7-22.
Medical Respite Care
Frequently Asked Questions
We are pleased to share that our medical respite care program, The Gathering Inn Medical Respite Program, has become certified by The National Institute for Medical Respite Care, a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council! This means that we have completed a rigorous process to demonstrate a high degree of fidelity to nationally recognized principles, standards, and expectations in the field of medical respite care.
TGI currently manages the only medical respite programs in Placer County, which is not large enough to meet the demand for services. In fact, close to 200 people needing medical respite care were turned away in past years. That is why TGI sought a location that would make it possible to expand our medical respite program, which is a vital part of the solution to homelessness and to controlling health care costs.
Medical respite services contribute to a healthier, more stable community by reducing emergency room visits and hospital readmission rates and lowering the overall cost of healthcare. These cost-effective services help people successfully recover enough from illness or injury to take advantage of comprehensive support and transition to stable housing solutions.
This information is designed to help our community understand TGI’s medical respite program and our vision for positive outcomes for our guests and City of Lincoln residents. It will be updated as necessary.
What is a medical respite program?
Does medical respite care really make a difference in homelessness?
Will the medical respite program increase crime or emergency calls in our neighborhood?
What measures are in place to ensure the facility will not negatively impact the neighborhood?
What are the admission criteria for the medical respite program?
What is the average age of the people that TGI serves?
Why do you want to locate the medical respite facility in Lincoln?
How is the program funded?
What is the Community Care Expansion Program?
Under the guidelines of the Community Care Expansion funding, is The Gathering Inn permitted to repurpose the medical respite program for different uses?
Did TGI consult with the City of Lincoln or notify the public about the program's implementation?
How was the Lincoln location identified?
Did the City of Lincoln approve of TGI’s plans to locate the medical respite program in the City?
Will this program serve only Lincoln residents?
What are the long-term benefits of the medical respite program for our community?
How can the community get involved or support the program?
Why did TGI take on this effort?
Where do guests go after completing the program?
What potential impact does hiring local team members and vendors have on the community as we expand our Medical Respite Program?
Will The Gathering Inn be providing or distributing needles, pipes, or any other drug paraphernalia?