The book also describes many other causes of homelessness such as drug addiction, alcoholism, life-long disabilities these being physical, social or mental. And because a tremendous amount of the population is without medical insurance, where does one turn?.
We have also both learned while working at Sutter Hospital and with our interviews that many patients, who are homeless, have been through the following problems. With the lack of a permanent address they are unable to fill out the applications to apply for MediCal or Medicare, even the struggle with literacy is a challenge for them. Numerous hospitals require repayment of service following discharge and many of the homeless patients do not have income. We hear so many stories of instances when they are placed in a homeless shelter (when vacancies are available) were theft is usually high and the medication that is stolen complicates their illness. They are literally kicked out in the daytime so without a bed to rest in during the day they are not guaranteed a full recovery.
Our research revealed findings that seven out of those ten individuals interviewed seemed to be mentally disturbed and anti-social. Although none of them contested to us .
using their real names we wanted to respect their right to privacy so all of the names we use are pseudonyms. Their stories made us the theory that most are anti-social and do not like rules and some do not want to deal with job stress. Most of them had an explanation .
for the reason why they left their job and did not relate to people: "Everybody in this country is stupid, liars, and selfish." They made it very clear they are angry at society.
Another person that we interviewed was a woman named Kate, a social worker in information/referral services at County of Sonoma's Human Services Department. Kate has been working for the county for the past sixteen years as a social worker. Her primary responsibility is to provide information and services to the homeless of Sonoma County.