The Vulnerable Population
The Vulnerable Population Essay
The Vulnerable Population Essay
I choose the elderly population.
We often consider how community health nurses can support vulnerable populations. For this self-reflection, consider what unique assets or perspectives vulnerable populations can provide to nurses. Reflect on how you, as a professional nurse, hope to improve individual and social factors that contribute to vulnerability in populations. What public policies may affect these vulnerable populations?
The Vulnerable Population. The Vulnerable Population Essay
Unique perspectives the elderly population can provide to nurses
Community health nurses can support the elderly in the community by identifying and addressing immediate needs, and by developing programs or advocating for policies that address the social, economic and medical needs of this vulnerable population. The elderly can provide perspectives on the factors that contribute to their vulnerability. The elderly are exposed to several risk factors such as social isolation, maltreatment, poor awareness and knowledge about support services and financial constraints. As Stanhope and Lancaster (2015)indicate, to improve the health of the elderly, community-nursing programs are required to address socioeconomic and medical disparities. Nurses can utilize these perspectives to incorporate both community and individual factors that are essential for the elderly to live and flourish in community settings.
How I hope to improve individual and social factors that contribute to vulnerability in the elderly population
Many social factors, including deprivation of social support, socioeconomic status, social exclusion or isolation and social capital have the potential of influencing the health of older adults. As a professional nurse, I can improve these individual and social factors by referring to the elderly and assisting them have access to support services and benefits. Andermann (2016) alleges nurses can act as patient navigators to assist vulnerable populations toaccess support resources such as community-based support groups employment agencies and programs or benefits to which they are entitled tosuch as tax credits and home visitation programs. The Vulnerable Population Essay
ORDER A PLAGIARISM- FREE PAPER NOW
Public policies that may affect the elderly population
Public Policies that strengthen and modernizes services for the elderly may affect this vulnerable population. These policies may be focused on job training and placement, disease prevention and health promotion, caregiver support, andsenior centers. Other policies may include policies that offer major benefits toolder individuals, including programs to assist deprived elderly to pay Medicare and u insurance benefits to support persons struggling to get employment. Nickitas et al (2014) claim that healthcare policy may affect vulnerable populations and policymakers should focus on theaspects of community-based health policy. The vulnerability of the elderly can be improved through focusing policy on relative risk, resource availability, health status and also the manners in which shaped by the obligations and rights of the individual and community. The Vulnerable Population Essay
References
Andermann, A. (2016). Taking action on the social determinants of health in clinical practice: a framework for health professionals. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 188(17-18): E474-E483.
Nickitas, D., Middaugh, D., & Aries, N. (2014). Policy and Politics and other Health Professionals. Burlington: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2015). Public Health Nursing: Population- Centered Health Care in the Community. Elsevier Health Sciences. The Vulnerable Population Essay
