...Homeless Veterans a Vulnerable Population Vulnerable populations are often used to characterize groups whose needs are not fully addressed by traditional service providers (Blue-Howells, J., McGuire, J., & Nakashima, J., 2008). These people believe they cannot comfortably or safely access and use the standard resources offered. They include physical or mental disabilities, limited or non-English speaking, geographic or cultural isolation, medical or chemical dependent, homeless, frail/elderly and children. Homeless veterans are examples of a vulnerable population. In this paper, the demographics and the present state of homeless veterans will be explored. Learning that veterans are considered part of a vulnerable population was not necessarily surprising given the physical and mental condition along with advanced age of many veterans. However, what is alarming is there are far too many veterans who are homeless. What makes this knowledge alarming is most Americans including myself believe veterans should be living a healthy and successful life as compensation for their sacrifice for our country (Wills, 2008). Many people in the United States think the needs of veterans are the responsibility of the government (Wills, 2008). In an ideal situation, the federal government would provide veterans with access to employment, housing, retirement or a pension, and free health care. These services are needed because of many health risks, physical or mental placed upon soldiers...
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...Homeless Veterans a Vulnerable Population Vulnerable populations are often used to characterize groups whose needs are not fully addressed by traditional service providers (Blue-Howells, J., McGuire, J., & Nakashima, J., 2008). These people believe they cannot comfortably or safely access and use the standard resources offered. They include physical or mental disabilities, limited or non-English speaking, geographic or cultural isolation, medical or chemical dependent, homeless, frail/elderly and children. Homeless veterans are examples of a vulnerable population. In this paper, the demographics and the present state of homeless veterans will be explored. Learning that veterans are considered part of a vulnerable population was not necessarily surprising given the physical and mental condition along with advanced age of many veterans. However, what is alarming is there are far too many veterans who are homeless. What makes this knowledge alarming is most Americans including myself believe veterans should be living a healthy and successful life as compensation for their sacrifice for our country (Wills, 2008). Many people in the United States think the needs of veterans are the responsibility of the government (Wills, 2008). In an ideal situation, the federal government would provide veterans with access to employment, housing, retirement or a pension, and free health care. These services are needed because of many health risks, physical or mental placed upon soldiers...
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...Epidemiology: Hepatitis C in the Veteran Population NUR / 408 July 7, 2014 Deborah Nallo Introduction Hepatitis C (HCV) is highly prevalent within the Veteran population. HCV is a major public health concern because of the debilitating effects associated with the virus. HCV results in increased mortality and morbidity rates resulting from the acute and chronic effects of the virus. The most common transmission of HCV occurs through injection drug use, injuries resulting from needle sticks and the lack of infection control in healthcare facilities. The transmission of HCV can also occur through sexual contact between individuals who have the human immunodeficiency virus, and HCV virus, tattoos that were not professionally done and HCV infected mothers who have transmitted the virus to their newborn babies. The hepatitis C virus is the most common blood-borne virus in the United States. An estimated 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C. Most are unaware of their infection. Each year, about 17,000 Americans become infected with hepatitis C ("Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", n.d.). The veteran population has a higher rate of HCV exposure and infection when compared to the general population. Many of the individuals who are infected with the HCV virus are unaware of their infection and therefore they do not receive the necessary treatment. Individuals with HCV are at increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinomas and other...
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...Homeless Veterans in America Name Institution Part 1 Statistics show that there are between 130,000 and 200,000 homeless veterans in America. Homeless veterans amount to about one-fourth and one-fifth of the entire homeless population in America. Homeless veterans are a population of Americans who have at one time or the other served their country in war. An estimated 131,000 veterans spend a night homeless, and this population doubles if one considers the population of homeless veterans over the course of the year. An approximate of 40% homeless men are veterans that are a significant considering 34% of the general adult male population is composed of veterans. Besides being homeless, this population faces other problems which include; social, economic, and psychological problems (Alker, 2009). Homeless veterans are more likely to suffer addiction as compared to the general population. According to Alker (2009), 76% of homeless veterans are alcohol or drug addicts. Because of the painful memories and the new reality of homelessness that dawn on them they turn to alcohol and drugs. Coupled with all the problems these homeless veterans experience social problems such as isolation. For this reason, they have no one to share their pains with and, therefore, they rarely receive help for treatable conditions such as addiction (Center for American Progress, 2008). Economic stressors are a root cause of homelessness for American veterans. The skills acquired from their military...
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...NUR471 | Homeless Veterans | A Vulnerable Population | | Tina Sampers | 4/29/12 | Description of the selected population The assumption that all veterans receive free health care and supported by the United States government is a sad misconception and unrealistic dream. Homeless veterans by definition are a group of individuals who have served in the United States military and do not have shelter, or home at night. The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act offers a detailed definition of homeless to include no shelter as defined as nights spent in a car, abandoned building or on the streets, in a homeless shelter, transitional housing, or with family members or friends without paying rent (O'Toole, 2010). Vulnerable population risk factors Homeless veterans are a vulnerable population group by definition, because they are a subgroup of the population more likely to develop health problems or have worse problems from health problems due to exposures to risks not experienced by the rest of the population (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 712). According to the Veterans Affairs (VA), an estimated 194,000 veterans nationwide were homeless on any given night during the fiscal year 2005 (GAO, 2006, p.2). The VA admits it is difficult to obtain accurate numbers and fear the actual numbers are much higher (GAO, 2006, p.2). Researchers completed numerous studies to differentiate the health problems associated with homeless veterans compared to health...
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...field, we see many differing cultural diversities on a daily basis. Racial, religious, and ethnic differences are mostly easy to spot in the health care world. These differences are readily discussed in nursing education, and education is given on how to provide culturally competent care for many different backgrounds. While this is an amazing thing to have in the nursing world, my question is what about the culture of military Veterans? Veterans are typically overlooked when it comes to the concept of culturally competent care. They have their own way of thinking, own belief systems and even their own language along with the specific mental and addiction health disparities. It is important that nurses do not overlook the rising number of Veterans, and the specific care they need due to the differing culture. Culturally competent care for veterans, any vulnerabilities of the Veteran culture, standards of culturally competent care in the Veterans Administration, application of nursing theory, and solutions for providing culturally competent care for Veterans will be addressed in this paper. Culturally Competent Care and Standards The United States is widely known as the “melting pot” of the world, and that comes with many differing cultures, ethnicities, religions and race. Caring for all of these different patients in health care means that the nurse must be educated in many different cultures and how to provide care for them in a respectful and safe manner. There are many different...
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...within the department of veteran’s affairs. Here the veteran can grasp onto emotions with emotional regulations, while using distress tolerance strategies (Vujanovic et al., 2011). There are drawbacks for mindfulness treatments, being that some veterans traumas are newly developed and therefore veterans do not initially have the ability to yet handle the distress of the events. In these types of cases, alternative therapies should be explored. It may depend on the veteran’s current state of functionality to determine if mindfulness treatments are to be beneficial. Within the scope of therapies, a question in research was developed. How do OEF and OIF veterans access their treatment? Do veterans...
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...Vulnerable Populations BSHS/301 October 29, 2013 Vulnerable Populations Introduction Have you ever looked at a panhandler on a street corner and thought to yourself “get a job” or “druggie.” If you have, you are not alone. There is a negative stigma surrounding the homeless is hard pressed to be changed. Each year between 2 to 3 million people in the United States experience a period of homelessness (Families with Children & Homelessness, 2013). There are many reasons for one to become homeless and there are many different people who through unpreventable circumstances find themselves losing their grip on the very foundation of their lives. This can a be a terrifying time and may eventually lead to mental illnesses such as depression and substance abuse as a means to cope with losing all one has known. To fully understand this vulnerable population one needs to know the history, the root causes of homelessness, social issues, the different demographics, and intervention strategies (Martin, 2007). History During the fourteenth century to the seventieth century the poor were taken care of by the church. During this time period the church and monasteries believed the poor to be blessed and it was a blessing to provide for them. The English Poor Laws throughout the Middle Ages added a negative stigma with the poor. The undeserving poor and the homeless were sent to almshouses or work camps were they were made to do demeaning work for long hours. This treatment stripped...
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...spectrum of Healthcare in North and Central Texas. It consists of 43 hospitals and more than 500 patient care sites (Baylor Scott and White, 2013). Type of organization. General Hospital, Level 1 Trauma Center Tax Deductible, for example For Profit (FP) or Not for profit (NFP). Not for Profit (NFP) Key executive leaders. Drayton McLane, Jr. Chair Scott & White Jim Turner, Chairman Baylor Health Care System Joel Allison, CEO Baylor Scott White Health Dr. Robert Pryor, President & CFO Key Web sites www.sw.org, http://baylorscottandwhite.com/, http://www.baylorhealth.com/Pages/Default.aspx Basic market demographics, for example, target populations served. Target populations consist of the low income populations with Medicare and Medicaid of surrounding communities in the central Texas area as well as those companies with a high employee work staff to provide low cost high quality services. Financial information The idea behind the financial status for the success of Scott & White is how they use the ratio of high income patients to low income patients. They allow those whom have low income to be eligible for the...
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...She also touches upon Social Security and Medicare- an issue which resonates with the higher population of older residents in the area and the rising costs of living. Rice’s critical investigations and combats of DWI are also so aligned with District 4’s demographics, particularly due to the busy roadways, dense population, and high rate of drunk driving related convictions, “Nassau County earned one of the highest conviction rates in the state for DWI crimes … first among counties with at least 500 convictions.” ( Issues- Drunk Driving) She also organized educational programs against drunk driving that reached upwards of 50,000 students in the Fourth District’s schools, and she introduced a legislation known as the End Drunk Driving Act in December of 2015 as a way to implement preventative technology in vehicles. Doing so could prevent a significant number of incidents per...
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...This is a reflection on my experiences during my four weeks community clinical rotation at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System in Temple. I will begin by discussing the most meaningful aspects of my clinical rotation and why it was valuable to me. I will next discuss how my clinical experience helped me to identify my personal strengths, how the experience helped me grow as a student nurse, and how this experience will impact my future practice. The most meaningful part of this experience was meeting the different Case Managers, who track the Veterans’ care from their initial screening till they pass or get cured depending on their diagnosis. These RNs was kind, amusing and amazingly excellent in their field of expertise; they were smart, talented, headstrong and self-motivated leaders who are passionate about their job and saving the life of veterans. Although the case management position has limited funds, resources, and little to no data, these amazing case managers create guidelines, protocols, and are still in the process of creating extra programs that will better help the most vulnerable veteran’s population to obtain an improve level of healthcare to...
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...to identify how community, public health nursing and community partnerships can be of service to this community. We will also take a look at epidemiological influences in Encanto as well as look at some nursing diagnosis that apply to this community. Role of Community and Public Health Nursing and Community Partnerships In Encanto the role of community and public health is not in the forefront of the community. Although services are available though the city of San Diego for those in need at no to little cost depending on your income very few residence are aware. There are other community resources and partnerships that can refer families of my community such as the second chance that helps homeless, ex-drug addicts, felons, adults, veterans, youth (16-18). Second Chance offers programs for reducing unemployment; repeat crimes and homelessness, empowering our clients to make sustainable personal changes that positively impact society. “Second Chance also delivers wrap-around services that include rehabilitation, housing, mental health and financial literacy, to get people off the streets and into the workforce” (Second Chances Program, 2014). Another public health partnership that could be useful to my community is the Black Infant Health Program (BIH). (BIH) program provides services to African-American pregnant and postpartum women with infants up to 3 months of age. The BIH program works to ensure that African-American babies are born healthy and have the opportunity to...
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...Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons Margaret A. Stewart BSHS 302 July 18, 2011 Karen Miner Abstract Most Americans have heard the term hobo, which is defined as a vagrant or transient among other definitions. The term is well known because a large number of Americans have been named such who lived on the streets, or “skid rows” of this country. Homeless individuals have existed throughout history; however, more recently, a larger number and many categories of homeless individuals occur. In this paper the subject to examine is the history of homeless persons in America, the nature of the social problems and issues experienced by the homeless, demography of the homeless, common clinical issues and intervention strategies, and a discussion of future interventions. Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons Homelessness has been a phenomenon in America beginning in the late 1700s according to author Kenneth Kusmer. “Kusmer begins with an examination of homelessness from the late seventeenth century through the early nineteenth century. Although the number of homeless fluctuated somewhat in this period (rising in the late eighteenth century and in the 1820s), concern about the homeless was not widespread. The homeless were also largely an urban phenomenon; rural residents rarely encountered homeless persons. The Civil War introduced soldiers to railroad travel and to foraging, and after the war, some veterans continued...
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...Administration Author Shay, Kenneth; Hyduke, Barbara; Burris, James F. Year published April 2013 Title of article Strategic Plan for Geriatrics and Extended Care in the Veterans Health Administration: Background, Plan, and Progress to Date. Title of Publication/Journal/ Magazine journal article - tables/charts Volume/month of publication (if available) Date you retrieved article from database 02-03-2015 Summary of article The leaders of Geriatrics and Extended Care ( GEC) in the Veterans Health Administration ( VHA) undertook a strategic planning process that led to approval in 2009 of a multidisciplinary, evidence-guided strategic plan. This article reviews the four goals contained in that plan and describes VHA's progress in addressing them. The goals included transforming the healthcare system to a veteran-centric approach, achieving universal access to a panel of services, ensuring that the Veterans Affair's ( VA) healthcare workforce was adequately prepared to manage the needs of the growing elderly veteran population, and integrating continuous improvement into all care enhancements. There has been substantial progress in addressing all four goals. All VHA health care has undergone an extensive transformation to patient-centered care, has enriched the services it can offer caregivers of dependent veterans, and has instituted models to better integrate VA and non- VA cares and services. A range of successful models of geriatric care...
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...Vulnerable Populations: The Homeless JLG BSHS302 April 7, 2012 KT Vulnerable Populations: The Homeless The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25(1) states: “Everyone has the right to… food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services” (Donohoe, 2004). Although it is everyone’s right to have access to those necessities, it is not always the case for many, who for whatever reasons, have no means to afford them. Here in the United States, the current unemployment situation as well as record foreclosures has forced many people to become homeless. “The term homelessness refers to the condition of individuals without a regular dwelling and that term is used to describe people who do not have a home and whom sleep on the street but it is also commonly used to refer to individuals whose primary night-time residence is a homeless shelter, a warming center or another ad hoc type of housing” (NPACH, 2011). The homeless face many problems in day-to-day living and this paper will focus on this group as a vulnerable population will discuss the history of the homeless, the nature of homelessness as a social problem, what issues they experience, their demographic, their common clinical issues, intervention strategies used for this particular group, and finally, what interventions are planned for the future. History of the Homeless Population For years, homelessness has been an ongoing problem in countries around...
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