Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion

Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion

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Introduction

The aging population, particularly individuals aged 65 and above, constitutes a vulnerable demographic with unique healthcare needs and challenges. As this cohort continues to grow, it is essential to understand the factors contributing to their vulnerability, including a heightened susceptibility to chronic diseases, limited mobility, and potential barriers to accessing healthcare services. Social determinants of health, such as social isolation and housing issues, further compound their vulnerability. In this context, this discussion explores the reasons behind the increased sensitivity of older adults, examines prevalent chronic diseases within this population, and emphasizes the crucial role of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) professionals in enhancing the health and well-being of older individuals while addressing the social determinants that impact their overall quality of life Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion

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Vulnerable Population Selected and Why

The vulnerable population selected is the elderly population aged between 65-100 y/elderly individuals faces unique difficulties because of conditions specific to older adulthood, causing them to be especially sensitive to illness and less able to obtain proper medical care. First and foremost, their age places them at a heightened risk of developing chronic diseases and experiencing age-related health challenges. Moreover, older adults often face limited mobility, financial constraints, and potential barriers to accessing healthcare services, making them particularly susceptible to health disparities and reduced quality of care. Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion

Local, State, and National Data:

National Data: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of older adults aged 65 and above is expected to nearly double, reaching 95 million by 2060. This projected increase is primarily driven by the aging baby boomer generation, highlighting the significant demographic shift and the need to address the health needs of older adults at the national level. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that older adults account for a considerable portion of healthcare expenditures in the United States. In fact, adults aged 65 and above comprise only 16% of the population but account for 36% of total healthcare spending.

State Data: Across the US, we see that the population is aging. Areas with larger populations of elderly people such as Florida and Arizona  have more significant obstacles in healthcare because of their needs requiring customized initiatives and medical programs. Since many people from these states are retired, their healthcare requirements are different. Because of population aging, states have to cope with bigger requirements for senior healthcare & nursing homes Older people constitute an increasing proportion of the populace, putting further pressure on existing healthcare frameworks and necessitating foresighted investment in infrastructure.

Local health departments and agencies typically collect data on the health status of older adults within specific geographic areas. This data may include chronic disease prevalence, healthcare utilization patterns, and social determinants of health unique to local populations (Plácido et al., 2022)Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion.

Chronic Diseases That Are Prevalent in This Population

Older adults struggle with a variety of severe diseases that substantially decline their general health and wellbeing. It’s estimated that nearly 80% of older people deal with persistent diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, heart problems, arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Medical problems frequently share individuals over age 60 navigates. Older persons are facing substantial difficulty managing numerous chronic ailments as indicated by CDC research, resulting in higher healthcare demands (Wang et al.,2021).

Chronic conditions in the elderly, have complicated origins due to numerous interconnected issues. DNA traits that are inherited might boost the likelihood, according to researchers, of getting some illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Smoking , drinking too much alcohol can cause illness in the future. Being older puts you at greater risk for various health problems due to your body’s decline. Air quality issues and job-related risks during the course of one’s career may raise the likelihood of creating persistent health issues. No factor can have a greater influence on disease management and outcomes than access to healthcare resources and disparities in healthcare. Enhancing older adults’ total health and wellbeing requires comprehending the interplay of these variables (Alqahtani et al.,2022)Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion.

Preventative Measures and Health Promotion

Improving the health and well-being of older adults, particularly in the context of chronic diseases, demands a multifaceted approach encompassing healthcare professionals, with a significant role played by Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) practitioners. This strategy involves various levels of care.

Primary Prevention: At the forefront of healthcare, primary prevention focuses on averting the onset of diseases and promoting healthy behaviors. Healthcare practitioners, including DNPs, actively engage in encouraging older adults to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This involves advocating for regular exercise routines tailored to an individual’s capabilities and promoting balanced diets that meet their nutritional needs. Encouraging older adults to make informed dietary choices can significantly impact their overall health.

Additionally, vaccination campaigns against diseases like influenza and pneumonia are essential components of primary prevention. DNPs can educate older adults about the importance of vaccines and ensure that they receive the necessary immunizations. Furthermore, DNPs can advocate for environmental policies aimed at improving air quality, such as smoke-free laws and carbon pollution reduction measures. Clean air is crucial for the respiratory health of older adults, especially those with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion.

Secondary prevention revolves around early disease detection and timely intervention, particularly in managing chronic illnesses. Regular checkups are paramount in this stage, with healthcare practitioners, including DNPs, conducting screenings for conditions like hypertension and glucose monitoring. These routine assessments serve as critical tools for identifying potential health issues in older adults before they escalate, enabling early intervention and management.DNPs play a pivotal role in coordinating and overseeing these screenings. They also collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure that older adults receive the necessary care promptly. (Siongco et al.,2021)Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion.

Tertiary prevention focuses on individuals who are already grappling with ongoing health problems, with the aim of preventing further deterioration. DNPs, as advanced practice nurses, excel in this aspect by providing older adults with strategies to manage their chronic conditions effectively.Through patient education, DNPs empower older adults with the knowledge and skills required to self-manage their conditions. This includes medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and coping strategies to maintain their health and prevent complications. Collaborating with community organizations is a cornerstone of improving the health of older adults.

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DNPs Influence on Social Determinants of Health

To comprehensively address the health and well-being of older adults, DNPs play a pivotal role in addressing social determinants of health: Improving public policies to increase the availability of cheap housing, efficient transportation, and social support networks benefits senior citizens through the efforts of DNPs. These policy adjustments will greatly influence health outcomes due to the social determinants Education: The project tackles social determinants that contribute to health disparities by offering supportive resources. By giving doctors resources, they promote lifestyle wellness.

Care Coordination: Care coordination and community resource access are supported by DNPs. Elderly people have complicated demands, which DNPs deal with effectively by offering thorough and integrated treatment. Research and Policy: To improve healthcare policy, scientists investigate the connection between societal conditions and the well-being of seniors, and present actionable insights across three levels of government. Scientific discoveries can help shape laws and regulations benefitting elder citizens (Abdi et al.,2019).

In conclusion, the aging population, particularly that aged 65 and above, represents a vulnerable group facing a multitude of health challenges. These challenges stem from a combination of factors, including age-related conditions, limited access to healthcare, and the influence of social determinants of health.Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that involves healthcare professionals, with a significant emphasis on the crucial role played by Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) experts. This approach spans primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, encompassing strategies to prevent, detect, and manage chronic diseases effectively among older adults. Furthermore, DNPs can contribute significantly to addressing social determinants of health by advocating for policy changes and collaborating with community organizations. Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion

References

Abdi, S., Spann, A., Borilovic, J., De Witte, L., & Hawley, M. (2019). Understanding the care and support needs of older people: A scoping review and categorisation using the WHO international classification of functioning, disability and health framework (ICF). BMC Geriatrics, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-019-1189-9

Alqahtani, J., & Alqahtani, I. (2022). Self-care in the older adult population with chronic disease: Concept analysis. Heliyon, 8(7), e09991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09991

Plácido, A. I., Herdeiro, M. T., & Roque, F. (2022). Health and wellbeing in aging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), 8835. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148835

Siongco, K. L., Nakamura, K., Seino, K., Moncatar, T. R., Tejero, L. M., De La Vega, S. A., Bonito, S. R., Javier, R., Tsutsui, T., Tashiro, Y., Al-Sobaihi, S., Lorenzo, F. M., & Canila, C. C. (2021). Improving community health workers’ attitudes toward collaborative practice in the care of older adults: An in-service training intervention trial in the Philippines. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 9986. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18199986

Wang, S., Liu, Y., Lam, J., & Gao, Z. (2021). Chronic illness, subjective wellbeing, and health services availability: A study of older adults in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), 7718. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157718 Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion

Assignment Instructions

Select a vulnerable population and support your choice using epidemiological data (local, state, national). Identify chronic diseases and barriers to care that impact your chosen population and the influence the DNP can have using preventative measures and health promotion for this vulnerable population. Also, note how might the advanced practice nurse measure whether or not health promotion and prevention measures are effective in improving the health of the population. Be sure to cite all references using APA (7th ed.) format. The paper should be double-spaced pages and use Times New Roman 12-point font. References should be recent (within the past five years) unless they are seminal work on the topic.

Please do the assignment by using these following headings

Vulnerable population selected and why is this a vulnerable population?

Support your selection by presenting local, state, and national data (epidemiologic data)Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion

Identify chronic diseases that are prevalent in this population (use data)

• History of chronic conditions
• Etiology/causes of chronic conditions

Identify preventative measures and health promotion

• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary
• Community partnerships

DNPs influence on social determinants of health

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Conclusion

You can change the headings little bit if you want to but please cover all contents of the assignment and use data, national data, and epidemiologic data as instructed.

for instance, for the headings instead of writing, Identify chronic diseases that are prevalent in this population (use data) •      History of chronic conditions

• Etiology/causes of chronic conditions you can simply put as a heading

Chronic diseases that are prevalent in this population and their Etiology/cause Vulnerable Population Assignment Discussion