Bandages Aren’t Enough

By: Jay Nam

While I was volunteering for a local hospital (shout out St. Joseph’s!), what surprised me most was not how we helped patients during their stay but what came after. From day to day, we had homeless residents around the area cycling through for issues that they faced. The homeless population is not only at risk for both infectious and noninfectious diseases but also commonly faces mental illness, substance abuse, etc. 

Our nurses and doctors were awesome and gave as much support as they could, but many hospitals (especially around L.A. County) lack the resources to meet their medical needs and discharge patients to a safe place. 

This has been a pressing national issue, not just in California, but for any state with a growing homeless population. But, if you’re looking for ways to help, there are tons of options! Volunteering can seem small, but even one person can have a huge impact; try working with shelters, hospitals, or places that specialize in offering free healthcare for the homeless. Another could be gathering and donating simple hygiene products (i.e., travel-sized soap, toothbrushes, and socks) to reduce the risk of infection. 

But, most importantly, raise awareness and take action! This isn’t an issue that can be solved by yourself. No matter what age, we always have a conscious choice to either live with the system we have today or make a change.