Windshield Survey - Introduction



Health Disparities of the ElderlyElizabeth MitchellFerris State UniversityAbstractOlder adults in the United States are a population that faces many obstacles to healthy living and receiving proper healthcare. Many individuals in society hold biases and stereotypes toward this population, which makes it even harder to provide equal healthcare. Challenges this vulnerable population face are many in number, but awareness in society of these challenges will only help to improve the health and quality of life of older adults. Discussion of biases, stereotypes, health disparities, knowledge, research, healthcare delivery, social determinants of health and changing the United States’ view of older adults will be discussed in the following.Health Disparities of the ElderlyHealth disparities are a problem the United States must face in health care delivery. The United States has put forth many efforts to reduce or eliminate these disparities, but it is apparent these disparities continue to exist and affect many individuals in society. Awareness of vulnerable populations and the health care disparities they face, culture and social determinants of these groups, and personal biases and how they affect health care delivery are important to understanding these vast issues in society. As a nurse, it is important to be aware of all of these issues to provide the best possible care to vulnerable populations.Health Care DisparitiesThe elderly population has been increasing in the United States over the past decade. Part of this shift in the population’s age can be attributed to advances in medicine, as life expectancy increases. Unfortunately, with this longer life expectancy, significantly more individuals must deal with illnesses, health-related problems, and co morbidities, which make remaining healthy more difficult. Over 80% of older adults are affected by chronic conditions (Spitzer & Davidson, 2013, p. 963). “Through programs that address chronic illnesses, Federal Government agencies are improving the quality of life for older adults” (Healthy People, 2013). This needs to be one area of focus for this vulnerable population.Socioeconomic status plays a massive role in the elderly populations’ ability to receive healthcare. The elderly must pay for healthcare services, transportation to and from appointments, proper nutritious food, health care supplies (medicines, mobility aides, hearing aides, dentures, glasses, etc.), and much more. Scheduling can also be a factor in whether or not an individual is able to attend preventative screenings or exercise on a daily basis. These are aspects that must be addressed when caring for the elderly population (Tullman & Chang, 2009). With a lack of resources, more chronic conditions, physical decline, mental health challenges, and an increased number of health problems, the elderly are a vulnerable and often underserved population. Culture and Social Determinants“The social conditions in which people live, their income, social status, education, literacy, home and work environment, support networks, gender, culture, and availability of health services are the social determinants of health” (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, p. 4). To increase the health of the elderly population, all of these determinants must be addressed. Healthy People 2020 has put forth initiatives to help this underserved population and increase awareness of their needs (Healthy People, 2013). This government program will help with healthcare delivery to this population and increase their quality of life. By looking through the Healthy People website, community members can further their understanding of and start taking steps to decrease their biases toward older adults, while working to help this population thrive in society.Bias and Health Care DeliveryAgeism is described as “the systematic stereotyping of, and discrimination against, people because they are old, just as racism and sexism accomplish this with skin color and gender” (Touhy & Jett, 2012, p. 82). This nurse has witnessed the stereotyping of the older adult and has also been a part of the stereotyping. When she sees the age of a patient at 97 years old, she automatically makes assumptions about the health of the individual, which many times she finds to be false. When healthcare professionals harbor views of ageism, the individual being taken care of can have a decline in quality of life and the real problems they are facing can be minimized.Before beginning this paper, this nurse thought of the many stereotypes or biases she holds toward elderly individuals. She assumes they are all hard of hearing, have vision loss, forget things, have problems with incontinence, are stuck in their ways, and are mobility impaired. When looking back, there are many individuals she takes care of on a daily basis that do not meet any of her criteria that are thriving in society at the age of 95. Research and knowledge can have a considerable impact on how one views a vulnerable population. Often, stereotypes and biases are due to lack of knowledge and understanding of a certain population. Once an individual has a full understanding, biases and stereotypes disappear. This is why research is so important for nurses. By researching underserved populations and developing ways to help these populations, personal biases will be lessened or disappear. This is what has happened for this nurse. By researching the elderly, health issues they face, stereotypes they must overcome, and meeting these individuals in this nurse’s patient population, she has seen her biases and stereotypes lessening. Understanding is the key to helping vulnerable and underserved populations.ConclusionOlder adults face many challenges in the healthcare system. Not only does this population require more healthcare resources, but often have a harder time receiving these services. Society’s biases toward the older adult do not help this population in their fight for equal quality of life. Through knowledge, research, and social and public policies, this vulnerable population can witness an increase in the quality of healthcare they receive and deserve.ReferencesHarkness, G.A., & DeMarco, R.F. (2012). Community and public health nursing practice: Evidence for practice. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott.Healthy People. (2013). Older adults. Retrieved from: , W.J., & Davidson, K.W. (2013). Future trends in health and healthcare: Implications for social work practice in an aging society. Social Work in Health Care 52(10), 959-986. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2013.834028Touhy, T. A., & Jett, K. (2012). Toward healthy aging: Human needs & nursing response. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.Tullman, D.F., & Chang, B.L. (2009). Nursing care of the elderly as a vulnerable population. Nursing Clinical Journal. 34(2), 333-344. ................
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