There are several vulnerable populations that have a chronic illness (older; homeless; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations) that face challenges when it comes to care. Choose one vulnerable population and discuss what can be done to help alleviate these challenges
“More than 80% of homeless people have at least one chronic health condition & more than 50% have a mental health disease” (Chronic Disease Management in the Homeless, 2014). Of the populations there are about 40-60% that suffer from substance abuse.
Some of the risk factors of those that are homeless are tobacco abuse, alcohol abuse, malnutrition, exposure to the environment, IV drug use, trauma, stress and suppressed immunity.
Some of the barriers to treatment are no access to medications, medication storage, no transportation, no financial resources, no housing, and poor nutritional access.
Treatment approaches for the homeless that have chronic disease are to discuss in detail the patient’s limitations to follow the treatment plan. You should also try to empower the patient by helping them set goals and set priorities that they will be able to obtain. There are also homeless assistance programs that would benefit those that were willing to receive it like HUD and the National Coalition for the Homeless.
