VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Homeless People
Joseph Benac
Nursing 340

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Abstract

The homeless population is often forgotten by society. Homeless people are a part of the
underserved which can benefit from a community nurse once a relationship is established.
The vulnerable populations are those people who have been marginalized or oppressed
(Harkness& DeMarco 2012 p. 32). These individuals come from a wide range of backgrounds
are vulnerable to poor treatment and negative labeling. These people typically live below the
poverty level in the United States. This paper will define this group and give insight into their
life. Between 2.3 and 3.5 million people experience homelessness (pbs.org, 2010).

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Homeless People

A homeless person is defined as a person who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence (pbs.org. 2010). There are many things which contribute to being homeless. The
causes noted for a single person are: Substance abuse, Mental Illness, and lack of affordable
housing. The awareness of the homeless person is observed in major areas of the cities. A
number of the homeless can be observed on park benches and streets. The majority of the
population sees it everyday but has chosen to ignore these people. Some of the known beliefs
and attitudes toward this group is that they are mentally ill, drug users and dirty people. Based
on the information in studies this is mostly true. The facts are some of these people may be
homeless but are not all dirty and using drugs. The availability of shelters has an effect on this
population. Many of the homeless are using shelters and have food and facilities for bathing.
Homelessness continues to be a largely urban phenomenon 71% are in cities, 21% are in
suburbs, 9% are in rural areas (pbs.org. 2010). The community nurse may find this person a
challenge to provide care for due to the mobile nature of being homeless.
The personal awareness I have for this population is what I have observed in my
experiences. I live in a rural community and have observed a very small amount of people that
spend a majority of the day on the street but these people are not homeless but are mentally ill
without a place to go. Homelessness is difficult to determine numbers in rural areas, due to the
non-fixed existence of shelters in rural communities, it is impossible to capture the full extent of
homelessness (endhomelessness.org, 2005). I have traveled to a few cities and have observed
the truly homeless person who asked for money while sitting on a street corner. Initially upon
first exposure people would have some fear, this population of people may look scary. The
challenges in providing the care are the belief that all these people use drugs or are violent. The

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stigma does contribute to the lack or delivery of care from the community nurse. The
community nurse may have reservations about traveling into areas to find the specific homeless
person. The largest numbers of homeless people are found in the cities. The other challenge is if
the homeless person wants care. These are obstacles for this group of people and caregivers.
Healthcare
Homelessness and health care are closely related. Poor health is both a cause and a result
of homelessness. The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (2008) estimates that 70%
of Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) clients do not have
insurance(nationalhomeless.org,2012). The fact that these individuals cannot pay for healthcare
is a direct link to lack of delivery. There are states and federal programs as well as the veterans
that are also among the homeless who do have care options. About 40% of homeless men are
veterans (pbs.org, 2012).

Conclusion
The vulnerable population may be found in many different types of people.
The vulnerable person is homeless or may also be found in society as a person who lives at
poverty level, poorly, educated and an ethnic minority. The group of focus is the homeless, and
regardless of the background people of all races can become homeless. The homeless population
can be cared for in the community but it is a huge challenge. The large cities and suburban
places have well established programs that may help the homeless if they choose to accept the
services. In regards to the rural areas it is a much smaller number of people but also there are not
programs available for care or assistance. The community nurse can play a key role in the
programs provided and establish relationships with the different agencies that are there to help

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these individuals. The community nurse can help with programs to ensure health and assist with
screening and assessments to prevent illness and hospitalization.
A nurse outreach program to treat people using a homeless shelter in London led to a fall of 77
per cent in hospital admissions from the shelter and a cut of 52 per cent in emergency department
attendances (sciencedaily.org. 2012). The task is not an easy one to help improve the health of
the homeless but establishment of networks to resolve homeless health issues will be a success.

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References

Harkness, G. & DeMarco, R. (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for
practice, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
www.endhomelessness.org/pages/homelessmap
www.pbs.org/now/shows/526/homeless-facts.html
www.nationalhomeless.org/search?q=homeless+rates+michigan
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121011085213.htm