Vulnerable Homeless Population

Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care states that “Care is the essence of nursing and the central, dominant and unifying focus of nursing (2002).” Leininger observes that culture is linked to every individual and that the purpose of “care, is to provide culturally congruent care to people of different or similar cultures to maintain or regain well-being and health or face death in a culturally appropriately way (2002).” Even if that culture is the homeless. According to de Chesnay (2008), “Vulnerable populations are those at risk for poor physical, psychological, or social health. Anyone can be vulnerable at any given point in time as a result of life circumstances or response to illness or events” (2008 pg. 3). In this paper I will focus on the homeless population their assessment, Healthy People 2020 recomendations and intervention strategies for this group. The homeless have the highest level of exposure to social and environmental risk factors. This population is at risk for severe deprivations such as hunger and lack of adequate hygiene and victimization such as physical assault, robbery, and rape. Approximately one-third to two-thirds of homeless people are subjected to crime. Sexual assault rate also is higher in homeless population than in the general population. Lack of a protective and safe home, living in unfamiliar environments, and increased vulnerability from mental illness or drug-related problems are the reasons for their traumatic life events. Homeless children growing up in shelters and without a stable home often have unmet educational, social, and emotional needs (Levinson, 2004). Heath risk factors facing the homeless include and are not limited to lack of insurance, permnent shelter, lack of transportation,

Where are the homeless living

NHCHC (2010)  Homeless youth rely on themselves or peers for survival and for this reason they engage in illegal activities and risky behaviors such as theft, panhandling,

References: Johnson, D.J. (2001). Understanding culture, learning cultural competence. American Public Health Association. Retrieved from http://apha.confex.com National Health Care for the Homeless Council. (2010). Addressing cultural and linguistic competence in the homeless setting. Retrieved from http://www.nhch.org Cotton, A. H., & Roden, J. (2006, December). Using patterns of knowing in nursing as a possible framework for nursing care of the homeless families with children.. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 23(2), 331-341. Hwang, S. W., Ueng, J., Chiu, S., Kiss, A., Tolomiczenko, G., Cowan, L., Levinson, W., & Redelmeier, D. (2010). Universal Health Insurance and Health Care Access for Homeless Persons. American Journal of Public Health, 100(8), 1454-1461. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.182022. Kidder, D. P., Wolitski, R. J., Campsmith, M. L., & Nakamura, G. V.. (2007). Health Status, Health Care Use, Medication Use, and Medication Adherence Among Homeless and Housed People Living With HIV/AIDS. American Journal of Public Health, 97(12), 2238-45.  Retrieved December 4, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Complete. (Document ID: 1392878511). Levinson, D. (2004). Encyclopedia of Homelessness. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.   8