Vulnerable Population-Homeless
Vulnerable Population-Homeless
Homeless is a condition affecting the current world. Although this world is moving towards development, there are things such as homeless that are feared to affect the environment is not properly addressed. Statistics shows that the number of homeless people in America increases by more than 1% per year. Health care the homeless is a challenge that requires critical decision to develop sound solution. This essay will focus on the issue of homeless in different dimensions. The essay will look at national and community statistics of homeless people, federal and state policies that caters for homeless, objectives for the homeless, and role of nurses to the homeless.
Discussion
National and community statistics and comparisons
Evidence shows that the number of homeless people in the last ten years has increased by 20%. Apart from this, families that share a single house have also increased something that contributes to the increase in those who end up having no place to stay. The most affected families include single mothers who are unable to develop a place for their families. From 2007 to 2011, the number of families that used emergency shelter as their home increased from 30% to 35%. This situation increases growth of individuals who at the end lack no place to sleep or use places that were not meant to be home. Another group use abandoned houses that at any given time they may be required to vacate. Current statistics shows that nearly over 0.65 million people in a single night are homeless in America.This number is believed to increase as years ago and may affect the entire development of the country, (Funieru, 2011).The national survey of service providers indicates that the number of homeless people is increasing day after day. The annual projection of more than 1% increase in the number of homeless people may create a problem with country’s development. Although this study does not reach all people who experience homeless problem and challenges, it is an indication that the number of homeless may be more than the current, (Baumohl, 2010).
Federal and State Policies on homeless
This may be surprising, but in reality federal and state does not have any single definition of homeless. Although different programs and policies are developed to take care of individuals who lack a nighttime place of sleep, no single definition defines exactly what homeless means in the society. In general, a homeless family or person is that one who lacks a fixed nighttime residence. Federal government has established different programs such as the department of housing and urban development (HUD), department of veterans affairs (VA), and department of homeland security (DHS) among others to ensure that homeless families and individuals have a place that accommodates their personal needs even though the place is temporary, (Baumohl, 2010).
The state government has developed, and signed homes act (2009) that clearly defines who a homeless person is and how he qualifies for government support. The government has programs and strategies that it uses in helping homeless people. It gives vouchers and grants to individuals who are homeless. Having realized that there exists no single definition of homeless, legislation with the help of eminent government representative develop an act that defined a homeless person and approaches that are required to provide help to the person. On May 20, 2009, the homeless, emergency assistance and rapid transition to housing (HEARTH) act of 2009 was signed by President Obama. The act customized all other federal and state acts that supported and developed programs for homeless people, (Funieru, 2011).
Healthy people 2020 objectives for homeless
Providing health care to homeless people is one of the challenges facing health care industry as well as the government. Homeless people have no specific place they stay and always poor. Another problem is that an individual who sleep outside or on the street have high chances of getting diseases. The health people 2020 objectives is to develop programs that will help the homeless people access health care services irrespective of the place they stay. The government have established and developed a proposal on how those programs will be made effective to the society in order to respond for the needs of homeless people, (Baumohl, 2010).
Some objectives of healthy people 2020 focus on the provision of health services to immigrants, homeless, and refugees in the country. Like any other person, a homeless or a refugee has the right to access and get quality healthcare services. The 2020 healthy program has established strategies on how to immunize homeless children in their places and at the place where they attend school. One of the 1200 objectives contained in healthy people 2020 plan is to increase the number of community based health care centers. This will help homeless and refugee people access health services at an affordable rate, (Baumohl, 2010).
Role of nurses to the homeless
Nursing industry with the help of healthcare department should develop strategies on providing healthcare services to homeless people. One of the key roles of nurses is to come up with issues affecting how homeless people are treated. This is a significant concern for nursing industry that helps homeless persons get quality and recommended health care services. Another vital role of nurses to the homeless people is assessing whether homeless people are able to access mental and healthcare services. If they are not able to access such services, nurses should develop ways on how to ensure that homeless people are able to get those services, (Funieru, 2011).In any given environment, nurses play vital roles in ensuring that the community has the right healthcare services. In the case of homeless people, nurses should educate homeless people on healthy eating strategies and how they are required to take care of their children. Nurses should develop healthcare programs to educate homeless people. This will help educate them and show them the importance of attending to the hospital when they are sick. Nurses should also educate homeless people on ways to prevent diseases that are easily preventable, (Baumohl, 2010).
Conclusion
The issue of homeless and refugee has affected America in different ways. Although in past time there was no clear definition of a homeless person, on 2009 the legislation developed an act that was passed and signed into law by President Obama that defines a homeless person. There different policies that govern homeless people and nurses play vital roles in educating people. Nursing industry has established strategies to ensure healthcare centers are available and accessible to homeless persons.
Reference:
Baumohl, J. (2010). Homelessness in America: Oryx Press, Phoenix
Funieru, C. et al. (2011). Aspects of oral and general health among a community center for the underserved. Retrieved from, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3124273/, On November 28, 2012
Rollinson, P. A. & Pardeck, T. J. (2009). Homelessness in Rural America: Policy And Practices: Routledge
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
