Vulnerable Populations (wk 5) Flashcards
What are the characteristics of a vulnerable population?
- Marginalized
- Easily hurt, marginalized bc low edu/ poor/ precarious housing/ food insecurity/ discriminated
- Increased susceptibility to risk factors–> increased risk of poor health outcomes
Who are considered vulnerable?
Poor (low SES)
Discriminated/ stigmatized/ not tolerated
Marginalized (i.e. denied HR)
Victimized (blamed)
e.g. Women, LGBTQ, Ethnic minorities, Indigenous, homeless, OA, Immigrants
Poverty (def)
No universally accepted definition
Experience of sustained/ chronic deprivation of resources necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living and rights
T/F Poverty is man- made
T–> man made–> not natural–> can be eradicated
Approaches to poverty
Basic Needs Approach
Market Basket Measure (MBM)
Low Income Cut Off Measure (LICO)
Basic Needs Approach to poverty
Poverty = lacking the material resources to ensure physical well being (shelter, food, clothing)
Market Basket Measure (MBM)
Lacking resources to ensure physical wellbeing (food, shelter, clothing) + essentials (undefined, i.e. transportation, entertainment, etc.)
LICO
Low Income Cut Off Measure (LICO)
- Poverty = like MBM (no physical needs + essentials ) + taking into consideration family size and location
- spending > 70% of family income on physical needs (food, shelter, clothing)
Define “the working poor”
Those who work F/T min half of the year but live below poverty levels
Define Homelessness
not having permanent, appropriate stable housing and lacking the immediate ability if acquiring it
Types of homelessnes
Unsheltered
Emergency sheltered
Provisionally sheltered
At risk of Homelessness
Refugees living in shelters would be considered Provisionally sheltered T/F
F
Emergency sheltered
Exampled of unsheltered
Living in public/ private places never meant for living
e.g. under bridges, attics, garages, cars , tents (Tent City), shacks sidewalks, vacant buildings
Examples of provisionally sheltered
living w friends, couch surfing, motels/ hotels, rooming houses (i.e. sharing kitchen/ bath w 4 other ppl)–> insecure transitional housing
Examples of emergency sheltered
In case of violence (e.g. women), natural disaster, fire, etc.
Who is “ at risk for homelessness?”
Divorced/ separated Facing eviction and no \$\$ No affordable housing Children and conflict w caregivers--> kicked out Addictions, mental illness
Barriers to HC for the Homeless
- Stigmatized by HCPs–> lack trust
- Transportation difficult
- Lost OHIP
- Low literacy
- Not able to keep appointments
- Low adherence to tx (no $ to buy meds, disorganized/ do drugs- forget to properly adhere to tx)
- Competing priorities (i.e. may have to choose btw spending resources on food/ going to the doctor)
Where do nurses work w vulnerable populations?
Shelters, churches, ED Hospital, Storefront clinics Outreach: - Street nurses - Multidisciplinary mobile bus - Home visits - Phone appointments
What are the nursing strategies to be used when working homeless/ poor ppl?
- Reflect on own values and put them aside–> destigmatize, humanize
- Establish relation of trust: listen to their stories (health clues), validate them, show respect and compassion, respect personal space (maintain safety), meet them on their turf (e.g. go to the streets); follow up w promises
- understand they have competing priorities and understand their SDOH
- start w what they consider priority
- “one stop shopping”/ coordinate services and providers
- provide direct care (wound care, DM feet, etc) and provide frequent screenings (TB, STI, pregnancy)
- focus on today, not the future
- preventive education (where to get condoms, needle exchange places)
- find cases and give referrals of homeless ppl to organizations/ shelters/ card finding
- advocate to political leaders, organization and general public to increase support programs/ funding/ > shelters
- e.g. Housing First Initiative: initiative that FIRST finds permanent and independent housing for the homeless, THEN works on providing needed services for them
- e.g. support at risk pregnant women (e.g. homeless, result of prostitution, drug users)
- e.g. Needle exchange programs (NEPs): non profit program where injecting drug users (IDUs) bring their used syringes and needles and receive an equal # of sterile needles and syringes, in addition to addictions counselling (if possible); WHO supports NEPs bc evidence strongly supports that it reduces the risk factors of contracting HIV, without evidence of exacerbating drug use
- use technology and social media as a way to engage, connect, refer and support the homeless
What are the 5 groups that are at risk for low income? What does this mean?
- Recent immigrants (< 10 years)
- Indigenous living OFF reserve
- Lone parents
- Unattached individuals 45- 64 y.o.
- Disabled (mentally/ physically)
If the main household earner is part of this category–> family is at high risk of low income.
A refugee housed in a temp. housing for refugees is what type of homeless?
Provisional homeless
People living in group homes (e.g. LT care, for mentally/ physically disabled in need for support) are considered what type of homeless?
Provisional homeless
