NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 4

NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 4 Caring for Special Population Teaching Presentation Student Name Capella University NURS FPX 4015 A4 Professor’s Name Submission Date   Caring for Special Population Teaching Presentation Slide 1 Hi, my name is……., Today I’m going to speak about special populations, homeless/housing insecure populations. Slide 2 The care of culturally competent nursing care is still essential for delivering appropriate health care solutions to homeless and housing-insecure individuals. Homelessness affects individuals’ health care access, leading to higher prevalence of chronic diseases, mental health problems, and infectious diseases (Sleet & Francescutti, 2021). Nurses have the opportunity to address health disparities by utilizing evidence-based patient-centered strategies that center on trust and providing accessible, compassionate care. In this presentation, we will explore homeless healthcare needs, their inequitable treatment, and cultural needs, and will showcase some helpful nursing practices for the delivery of fair and effective healthcare. Slide 3 Population Group and Their Healthcare Needs Homelessness and housing insecurity are made up of a diverse population of people with mental illness, financial problems, families, and veterans. People experiencing homelessness can be defined as those who do not have a fixed, regular nighttime residence while staying in a shelter, transitional housing, or in a car, a bus or train, an abandoned building, or a public building or place, such as a hospital or mental health facility (Sleet & Francescutti, 2021). Housing insecurity is a term used to describe people who are at risk of becoming homeless due to financial issues, moving frequently, or living too close together. The constant switching of housing from shelters to other insecure environments negatively impacts access to care and exacerbates acute and chronic health issues. Slide 4 Because of their lack of coverage, homeless people often suffer from chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Non-compliance with drugs and medication and harsh weather conditions are combined with poor nutrition, which hastens the progression of the disease (Mejia-Lancheros et al., 2020). Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), peripheral neuropathy, and lower extremity amputation are some examples of complications of uncontrolled diabetes, while stroke and heart failure are some examples of complications of uncontrolled Hypertension. Environmental pollution, smoking, and exposure to repeated cold weather worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to increased hospital admissions and premature death. Shelter overcrowding increases homeless persons’ vulnerability to infectious diseases due to insufficient sanitation. Homeless individuals suffer more from tuberculosis, hepatitis, and COVID-19 infection than other people, resulting in higher death rates (Tsai & Wilson, 2020). Homeless individuals are often affected by depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse disorders. Homeless people have been less likely to use medical services because of their experience of trauma, abuse, and systemic neglect. Integrated prevention programs and early detection with person-centered coordinated services are needed to address the healthcare needs of this population. Slide 5 Culturally Sensitive Nursing Strategies To provide culturally competent nursing care to homeless people, it is necessary to know about the unique challenges and cultural experiences of these individuals. Trauma-informed care is beneficial for equitable care delivery as it allows healthcare providers to be more aware of how past trauma can impact patient behaviors and medical service engagement. Trauma-informed care practices create safe environments that are open for patients, as well as active listening techniques and experiences validation (Barry et al., 2023). Nurses should not use stigmatizing language as they assess patients’ barriers to care, such as issues of medication storage and survival being more important than health management. Creating trust and showing empathy between nurse and patient is a practice that increases patients’ involvement in their treatments. Medication access and management are a substantial challenge for homeless people due to financial, cognitive, and storage issues. To advocate for the use of long-acting medications, nurses will support monthly injectable antipsychotics in individuals with schizophrenia, and extended release antihypertensive in those with unstable living conditions (Adams et al., 2020). Healthcare providers who make medications easier to take and do not require refrigeration, and simplify medication regimens, enhance treatment adherence. Properly educated patients can become active players in their healthcare management during periods of instability if they are informed of and educated about the various treatment options and ways of risk reduction. Street medicine services are useful strategies to improve healthcare services for homeless people when they are mobile, moving between multiple locations. Those living in homelessness prefer to avoid traditional health care settings due to adverse experiences, extended wait times, and challenges with transportation (Gutman et al., 2024). Mobile health units deliver health care services at encampments, drop-in centers, and shelters, where individuals receive services focused on chronic disease management, wound care, and substance use counseling in addition to preventive services. Boston Health Care for the Homeless program has been a successful model whose primary care is delivered in community-based settings, resulting in better health outcomes (Koh et al., 2020). Healthcare models that offer flexibility in appointment times, such as walk-in clinics and same-day appointments, offer medical care convenience for individuals who experience homelessness by meeting ongoing medical care needs. Slide 6 Physical Assessment Findings Physical evaluations must be conducted since people who are homeless are more likely to delay health care until their condition is serious. Nurses should examine for skin infections, wounds, frostbite, and foot problems that are caused by long hours of walking and possibly wearing inappropriate footwear. A patient’s overall health needs can be understood by assessing their dehydration and malnutrition. Mental health assessments are equally critical because homeless people often have depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders that can compromise their capacity to take care of themselves and follow instructions (Adams et al., 2020). Establishing a consistent point of contact can further strengthen the therapeutic relationship over time. No judgement builds trust between healthcare providers and patients, resulting in disclosure of health concerns. Wound care, hydration, and mental health referrals are key activities that nurses conduct in health care settings as they perform physical and mental health screenings that will have a positive impact on