Running Head: COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING INTERVENTION

Community Health Nursing Intervention During the initial surveys and studies performed, the Town of Breckenridge was shown to be healthy and affluent. But, even with this affluence, and the services available because of it, there were populations that were shown to be vulnerable. These vulnerabilities are in part due to lifestyle choices of some residents as well as the access to health care due to job opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to address some of the community concerns raised as well as narrowing down to one priority issue. Interventions, expected outcomes and supporting documentation will be presented. Three priority community health and safety concerns

Three priority community health and safety concerns are: risk for increased substance abuse among young adults related to municipal legalization of marijuana, increased access to drugs and drug paraphernalia, and wide acceptance of drug usage; risk for severe injury/trauma of young adults related to age and young male demographic, participation in extreme sports (skiing, snowboarding), accepted culture of risky behaviors involving gravity and hard, fixed objects. And, after completing the assessment of the Summit Community Care Clinic, risk for ineffective management of therapeutic regimen among uninsured and under-insured residents related to the inability to afford healthcare and preventative care due to lack of insurance offered along with employment in many service/hospitality positions.

Since the municipal legalization of marijuana possession in ??? by referendum vote, Breckenridge has become a destination for drug usage by adults of all ages. According to Paramedic Chambers of the Summit County Ambulance Service (personal communication 4/15/2011), “it’s [marijuana] use is much more out in the open than 10 years ago.” He goes on to say this has “drawn many young adults to the community who only have a desire to ski/snowboard and get high.”

Recreational drug usage can also be a contributing factor in increasing the increasing the already high risk for severe injury/trauma of young adults. The young adult population in Breckenridge is very active (in the outdoors) and actively participats in extreme sports and activities (especially in the male population). This active population has an accepted culture of very risky behaviors both in the resort setting (skiing and snowboarding) as well as in the back country (skiing, snowboarding, climbing, snow machine touring, etc.).

Though unemployment in Breckenridge is dramatically lower than state and national averages (more than one-third less), for many residents employed in the seasonal resort and service industries there is still an inability to maintain a therapeutic health regimen due to lack of health insurance and inability to afford health care. Instead of registering for, and utilizing the preventative services in the community (specifically at the Summit Community Care Clinic), most young adult residents wait for a acute injury or illness to attempt to access care. This leads to higher costs for care in one of the local Emergency Departments versus a more affordable doctor’s visit at the Community Care Clinic.
Recommended community health nursing intervention Based on the priority health concerns for this community, a health education intervention for adult uninsured and under-insured residents is proposed. There are numerous ways to reach the intended populations to provide this education. Larger employers within the Town of Breckenridge, including Vail Resorts and the Grand Lodge Properties, can be asked to provide information directly to their employees during seasonal hiring orientations. The Town Chamber of Commerce can be contacted to request direct or indirect access to it’s membership. Information may be sent by mail directly to employers with information on benefits and how to access services. Community “question and answer” sessions may be scheduled and advertised in the local newspaper to provide information on pre-registration, income requirements, and the benefits available.
Description of intervention These educational interventions are aimed at providing information to members of the community about income requirements and pre-registration for services; preventative, reproductive, and acute care services available to residents; as well as
These interventions are aimed at providing both physical and psychological relief to the adult child caregiver. Within the community, services can be provided by through Evergreen Senior Living, Rockwall Nursing Center, Sunrise Home Health, Molly Maid and Super Suppers to name a few. Additional resources include support groups for families of patients with chronic disease such as cancer, COPD, dementia and alzheimers. Participation in such groups is highly recommended.
Description of intended outcome Positive outcomes will result in a decrease in caregiver stress and pressure. Adaptive coping strategies will be demonstrated and feelings will be expressed openly. The caregiver will be able to problem solve more effectively in regards to elderly care. The caregiver will also express interest in engaging in support groups and enlisting the help of other resources for elder care.
Intervention accommodates community strengths, weaknesses and needs During the windshield survey and agency analysis there was an evidenced need for caregiver support both now and in the future. There is a rise in the elderly population and an increases threat for caregiver role strain.

Support for intervention and Conclusion

The proposed intervention to provide relief for caregiver strain is supported by a multitude of state and federal government organization and health experts. Local and national organizations include the Area Agency on Aging of Dallas County, Caregiver.com, American Society on Aging and the National Family Caregivers Association. These organizations support the fact that family care-giving requires the constant juggling of work, family life and maintaining autonomy. Without the adequate support, information, education and training, it is not possible to maintain and continually meet the needs of the entire family. Reaching out and asking for help is not considered a sign of weakness, but rather it demonstrates strength and a keen awareness of the caregiver’s abilities and sense of self. The journey as a caregiver can be very difficult, even resulting in a sense of lost identity and depression. The key to staying the course is to never travel alone. By taking advantage of all the available resources and support the day to day struggles can be managed. By allowing the caregiver to accept help and express their feelings it only helps them and their loved ones.

References

“Pollution in Your Community”. Scorecard. July 17, 2010 .

“Unemployment, Health Care Spending Affect Mortality”. Medical News Today. March 14, 2010 .

Libert, Anne Blanford. (2009). Elderly Parents and Adult Children as Caregivers. ERIC Clearinghouse. Retrieved from http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-925/adult.htm