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Vulnerable Populations
ADNR 230R
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Who Are Vulnerable Populations?
 In the United States, significant disparities exist in
healthcare for vulnerable populations.
 There are a number of groups that are
considered vulnerable populations, including
racial and ethnic minorities, the economically
disadvantaged, and those with chronic health
conditions.
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Who Are Vulnerable Populations?
For vulnerable populations,
their health and healthcare
issues may be exacerbated
by social factors.
Here are just 5 vulnerable
populations who experience
greater risk factors, worse
access to care, and
increased morbidity and
mortality compared with the
general population.
3. Certain geographical
communities
1. Chronically ill and
disabled
4. LGBTQ+ population
2. Low-income and/or
homeless individuals
5. The very young and very
old
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Why is Understanding
Vulnerable Populations
Important?
 You will likely provide care for vulnerable populations frequently in
your nursing career.
 It is therefore essential to understand the populations to whom you
provide care, and services available for each population.
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Vulnerable Populations
More likely to develop health
problems as a result of exposure
to risk or to have worse outcomes
from those health problems than
the population as a whole
More sensitive to risk factors
because they are often exposed
to cumulative risk factors
More likely to suffer from health
disparities
Vulnerability results from the
combined effects of limited
physical, environmental, personal
resources, and biopsychosocial
resources
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Cycle of Vulnerability
Hopelessness, Despair, Depression, Suicide
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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Think About These During Lecture…
Physical: (Hope), Air, (Immediate Medical), Shelter, Water, Food, Gratification
• The Rule of 3
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Sense of Security: Predictability, Reliability (this is how the transportation
systems able to work), Trust “I feel safe when” Reasonable Expectations.
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Love, Belonging, Community: Being a part of something, friends, family,
community, job
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Self-Esteem: Sense of own self worth, direction
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Self-Actualization: I’ve got this! Thriving
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Family Violence,
Abuse, and Neglect
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Introduction
A family violence offence is committed by a
family member against another family member.
On the other hand, domestic violence is when
an individual commits an abuse to an intimate
partner.
The difference lies in the relationship between the
offender and the victim—not the crime's nature
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Family Violence/Abuse/Neglect
May see perpetrator unwilling to leave victim alone; injuries that
do not match story, inconsistent story, physical and emotional
manifestations
Questions a health care provider may ask (after ensuring privacy)
Are you in a relationship in
which you have been physically
hurt or threatened?
Has your partner ever destroyed
things you care about?
Do you have guns in the house?
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1. Tension
2. Belittlement/put downs
Cycle of
Violence
3. Physical abuse
4. Remorse (saying sorry)
5. “Resolution” (making promises to
change)
 Then it starts all over again
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Cycle of
Violence
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Neglect is the omission of certain
appropriate behaviors, with such omission
having detrimental physical or psychological
effects on development. Neglect includes:
Neglect
Definitions
• Child abandonment.
• Lack of provision of the basic needs of
survival, including shelter, clothing,
stimulation, medical care, food, love,
supervision, education, attention,
emotional nurturing, and safety.
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Family Violence Risk Factors
Cultural differences can
influence whether the nursing
assessment data is valid, how the
client responds to interventions,
and the appropriateness of
nursing interactions with the
client.
A female partner is the
vulnerable person in the
majority of family violence, but
the male partner can also be a
vulnerable person.
Vulnerable persons are at the
greatest risk for violence when
they try to leave the relationship.
Pregnancy tends to increase the
likelihood of violence by a
spouse or partner. The reason for
this is unclear but might be
related to the added
responsibility or the time that
will be required to care for the
infant.
Older adults or other adults who
are vulnerable within the home
can suffer abuse because they
are in poor health, exhibit
disruptive behavior, or are
dependent on a caregiver.
The potential for violence
against an older adult is highest
in families where violence has
already occurred.
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Abuse/Neglect Risk Factors
Children younger than 4 years of age
Children with special needs that may increase caregiver burden (e.g., disabilities, mental health issues, and chronic physical
illnesses)
Caregivers with drug or alcohol issues
Caregivers with mental health issues, including depression
Caregivers who don’t understand children’s needs or development
Caregivers who were abused or neglected as children
Caregivers who are young or single parents or parents with many children
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Abuse/Neglect Risk Factors
Caregivers with low education or income
Caregivers experiencing high levels of parenting stress or
economic stress
Caregivers who use spanking and other forms of corporal
punishment for discipline
Caregivers in the home who are not a biological parent
Caregivers with attitudes accepting of or justifying
violence or aggression
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Abuse/Neglect Risk Factors
Communities with high rates of violence and crime
Communities with high rates of poverty and limited educational and economic opportunities
Communities with high unemployment rates
Communities with easy access to drugs and alcohol
Communities where neighbors don’t know or look out for each other and there is low community involvement among
residents
Communities with few community activities for young people
Communities with unstable housing and where residents move frequently
Communities where families frequently experience food insecurity
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Abuse/Neglect Risk Factors
Families that have household members in jail or prison
Families that are isolated from and not connected to other people
(extended family, friends, neighbors)
Families experiencing other types of violence, including relationship
violence
Families with high conflict and negative communication styles
Abuse reporting for elders or
dependent adults is not
mandatory in all states.
Possible signs…
• bruises or fractures
• lack needed eyeglasses or hearing aids
• denied food, fluids, or medications
Elder Abuse
• restrained in a bed or chair
• withhold medical care for acute or chronic illness
• Finances being used by abuser for own pleasure
More likely when the elder has multiple chronic mental & physical health problems &
when dependent on others for food, medical care, & activities of daily living.
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Maltreatment of older adults
• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• psychological abuse
Elder Abuse
• neglect or self-neglect
• financial exploitation
• denial of adequate medical treatment.
Family member or person in caregiver role
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A forensic nurse has advanced training in the collection of evidence for suspected or
actual cases of sexual assault or other forms of physical abuse.
Conduct a nursing history.
Provide privacy when conducting interviews about family abuse.
Be direct, honest, and professional.
Nursing
Assessment
Use language the client understands.
Be understanding and attentive.
Use therapeutic techniques that demonstrate understanding.
Use open-ended questions to elicit descriptive responses.
Inform the client if a referral must be made to child or adult protective services.
And be sure to explain the process.
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Mandated Reporters
The circumstances under which a mandatory reporter must make a report vary from
state to state. Typically, a report must be made when the reporter, in his or her official
capacity, suspects or has reason to believe that a person has been abused or neglected
Mandated reporters are "people required by law to report suspected or known instances
of abuse," including "known or suspected abuse or neglect relating to children, elders,
or dependent adults."
Intimate partner violence (IPV) and the abuse of both dependent adults and adults with
disabilities also fall within the realm of the mandated reporter.
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Mandated Reporters
 Currently, 47 states have designated professions
wherein workers are mandated to report child
maltreatment.
 Most every individual who works with elders is
required to report suspected abuse in all states.
 Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic
abuse, doesn't have the same legislative
requirements as other types of abuse. In most
instances, IPV reporting falls under injury by firearm
or assault/abuse requirements for health
practitioners.
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Why is
Mandatory
Reporting
Important?
 As the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, nurses are the
lifeblood of the healthcare system. Nurses serve as advocates,
protectors, and witnesses for vulnerable patients in need of
professional, legal, ethical, and moral support in the face of abuse and
neglect.
 Documentation of actual or suspected abuse is a crucial action to be
taken by a nurse. A nurse must state the facts of the case and leave all
feelings, judgments, and opinions aside.
 Every state has child/elder protective services.
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 New Hampshire Law requires that each health
practitioner must report suspected abuse or neglect of
a child or vulnerable adult
Mandatory
Reporter…YOU!
 A “vulnerable adult” is a person 18 or older who lacks
the physical or mental capacity to provide for his or her
daily needs.
 When reporting, you are protected from liability when
acting in good faith
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Family Violence/Abuse/Neglect Management
Coordinate with Social Worker on your unit
If patient is willing to accept voluntary services:
•
•
•
•
Educate the patient
Implement a safety plan
Provide assistance that will alleviate causes of mistreatment
Refer patient to appropriate services: social work, counseling,
legal assistance, and advocacy
• Can call CPS/APS
Darlene sat in the bathroom trying to regain her balance and holding a cold28
washcloth to her face. She looked in the mirror and saw a large, red, swollen
area around her eye and cheek where her husband, Frank, had hit her. They
had been married for only 6 months, and this was the second time he had
gotten angry and struck her in the face before storming out of the house. Last
time, he was so sorry the day after it happened that he brought her flowers and
took her out to dinner to apologize.
He said he loved her more than ever and felt terrible about what had
happened. He said it was because he had had an argument with his boss over
getting a raise and went out drinking after work before coming home. He had
promised not to go out drinking anymore and that it would never happen again.
For several weeks after he quit drinking, he was wonderful, and it felt like it was
before they got married. She remembered thinking that she must try harder to
keep him happy because she knew he really did love her.
Identify the cues of Family Violence here…
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You are working on the medical-surgical unit when your new admission arrives.
It is Darlene.
On admission you note bruising around her eye
and multiple bruises in various stages of healing on
her arms and legs. An x-ray shows two rib fractures.
When asked, Darlene states, “I am so clumsy, I just
fell down the stairs. Frank was so good to bring me
to the hospital.” She does not look at Frank who is
at the bedside.
What is your role & responsibility as Darlene’s nurse?
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Practice Time…
A nurse visits the home of an 11-year-old child and finds the child
caring for three younger siblings. Both parents are at work. The
child says, "I want to go to school, but we can’t afford a babysitter.
It doesn't matter; I'm too dumb to learn." What preliminary
assessment is evident?
1. Insufficient data are present to make an assessment.
2. Child and siblings are experiencing neglect.
3. Children are at high risk for sexual abuse.
4. Children are experiencing physical abuse.
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Practice Time…
A kindergarten student is frequently violent toward
other children. A school nurse notices bruises and
burns on the child's face and arms. What other
symptom should indicate to the nurse that the child
may have been physically abused?
1. The child shrinks at the approach of adults.
2. The child begs or steals food or money.
3. The child is frequently absent from school.
4. The child is delayed in physical and emotional
development.
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Practice Time…
A client who is in a severely abusive relationship is admitted
to a psychiatric inpatient unit. The client fears for her life. A
staff nurse asks, "Why doesn't she just leave him?" Which is
the nursing supervisors most appropriate response?
1. These clients don't know life any other way, and change
is not an option until they have improved insight.
2. These clients have limited cognitive skills and few
vocational abilities to be able to make it on their own.
3. These clients often have a lack of financial independence
to support themselves and their children, and most have
religious beliefs prohibiting divorce and separation.
4. These clients are paralyzed into inaction by a
combination of physical threats and a sense of
powerlessness.
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Sexual Assault
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 Sexual assault is act of violence, not sex
 Results in devastating, severe, and long-term trauma
 Encompasses crimes of rape, date rape, acquaintance rape,
marital rape, intimate partner violence, molestation or
incest, and sexual assault of older adults
 Legal definitions of rape vary among states
 In general, sexual assault includes use of force or any
Sexual Assault
nonconsensual contact involving breasts, genitals, or anus
with or without penetration
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Sexual Assault
Use institutional
protocol for evidence
collection (sexual
assault)
Gather data useful for
criminal prosecution
following protocol
Consent forms are
essential (right to
refuse treatment)
Specific guidelines
Document event in
patient’s own words
After consent forms
signed, forensic
evidence collected
Assess for physical
trauma, psychological
reactions, use of
drugs by
victim/perpetrator
Identify survivor’s
support systems
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 Approach victim in nonjudgmental and empathic manner
 Maintain confidentiality
 Listen and let patient talk, stressing patient did right
thing to save his/her life
 Use only nonjudgmental language
 Explain to patient long-term signs and symptoms many
people experience
Sexual Assault
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Sexual Assault
 Short term Plan: plan for handling
immediate needs after ED, written
list of reactions that may follow
sexual assault, written information
about legal counsel, community
support groups, follow-up
appointments
 Long term Plan: return to previous
level of functioning
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Sexual Assault
Emergency
department
Follow-up
care
• Address physical injuries, pregnancy, and STD
prophylaxis
• Short-term treatment with benzodiazepines or
antidepressants (SSRIs)
• Psychotherapy: crisis counseling
• Follow-up visits at 2, 4, 6 weeks after initial trauma with
assessment for pregnancy, STDs and/or psychological
trauma
• Community-based supports: group therapy for survivors
of sexual assault
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Practice Time…
A woman comes to an emergency department with a broken
nose and multiple bruises after being beaten by her
husband. She states, "The beatings have been getting
worse, and I'm afraid, next time, he will kill me." Which is the
appropriate nursing response?
1. Leopards don't change their spots, and neither will he.
2. There are things you can do to prevent him from losing
control.
3. Lets talk about your options so that you don't have to go
home.
4. Why don't we call the police so that they can confront
your husband with his behavior?
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A nurse is caring for a client who was recently
raped. The client states, "I never should have
been out on the street alone at night." Which of the
following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
Practice Time…
1. "Your actions had nothing to do with what
happened."
2. "You should focus on recovery rather than
blaming yourself for what happened."
3. "You believe this wouldn't have happened if you
hadn't been out alone?"
4. "Why do feel that you should not have been
alone on the street at night?"
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Suicide
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Suicide
Definition
Suicide is the act of
intentionally causing
one's own death.
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in the United
States. That
is 1 death
every 11
minutes.
In 2020:
45,979
people died
by suicide
Suicide Statistics
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Suicide Statistics
In U.S., European Americans
is Native Americans (rate equal to European
have twice the rate of minority • Exception
Americans)
groups
African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Asian Americans
• Men more than women; peak rate in adolescence/young adult
• Protective factors include family/religion
• Protective factor: Roman Catholic religion/family
• Rate increases with age. ---Protective factor: belief that
individual and society are interdependent
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For every suicide death, there are*:
Suicide Statistics
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Suicide Risk Factors
Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders) and physical
disorders (chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.), and substance abuse
(alcoholism, drug use, and withdrawal from drugs) are risk factors.
Family history is also a risk factor.
Having attempted suicide previously increases the risk of a
subsequent attempt. About half of those who ultimately commit
suicide have a history of a previous attempt.
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Suicide Risk Factors
 Marital status
 The suicide rate for single persons is twice
that of
married persons.
 Gender
 Women attempt suicide more often, but
more men succeed.
 Men commonly choose more lethal
methods than women.
 Age
 Risk of suicide increases with age,
particularly among men.
 White men older than 80 years are at the
greatest risk of all age/gender/race
groups.
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Suicide Statistics
Loss of a loved one
through death or
separation is a risk
factor.
Lack of
employment or
increased financial
burden increases
the risk of suicide.
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Suicide Nursing Assessment
Use
Use suicide assessment tools
Recognize
Recognize
Recognize verbal clues
Recognize behavioral clues
• Suicide threats need to be taken
seriously, including overt and covert
statements
• Sudden changes: giving away
possessions, writing farewell notes,
making one’s will/putting affairs in
order
• Sudden improvement after being
depressed/withdrawn
• Neglecting personal hygiene
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Suicide Nursing Assessment
Ask
Always ask person suspected of being at risk, “Are you
thinking about killing yourself?”
Assess
Assess precipitating events/risk and protective factors
Assess
Assess suicide history (family/friends)
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Suicide Nursing Interventions
1
Follow institutional
protocol
• Suicide precautions
• Suicide observation
2
Keep accurate
records of patient
behavior,
documenting
activity q 15 minutes
or as per protocol
3
Establish no suicide
contract
4
Encourage patient to
discuss
feelings/problemsolving alternatives
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Suicide Nursing Interventions
 Planning directed toward:
 Crisis intervention
 Long-term treatment of any co-occurring
mental illness
 Implementation
 Lack of evidence to support any particular
approach to suicide prevention
 Protective factors: social supports, treatment
for mental illness, restricted access to means
of suicide, cultural/religious beliefs, learned
skills for problem solving
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Suicide Nursing
Interventions
 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
 The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support
for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for
individuals or oved ones, and best practices for
professionals in the United States.
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Suicide Nursing Interventions
Arrange for patient to stay with family/friends; if no one available, hospitalization
Weapons/pills removed by family/friends
Encourage patient to discuss feelings
Encourage patient to avoid decisions during crisis
Activate links to community supports (self-help groups)
If medication used for anxiety/depression:
• 1-3 day supply only
• Monitored by family/significant other
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Suicide Nursing Interventions
For
Caregivers…
Take any hint of
suicide
seriously.
Express to the
client feelings
of personal
worth.
Do not keep
secrets.
Know about
suicide
intervention
resources.
Be a good
listener.
Restrict access
to firearms or
other means of
self-harm.
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For Survivors
For survivors (family/friends)
 Encourage them to talk about the suicide.
 Discourage blaming and scapegoating.
 Listen to feelings of guilt and self-perception.
 Talk about personal relationships with the victim.
 Recognize differences in styles of grieving.
 Assist with development of adaptive coping strategies.
 Identify resources that provide support.
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Patient Statement
“I just want to go to sleep and not think anymore.”
Nurse’s Statement
“Specifically just how are you planning to sleep and
not think anymore?”
“By ‘sleep,’ do you mean ‘die?’”
Patient Statement
“Here is my chess set that you have always admired.”
Nurse’s Statement
“What is going on that you are giving away things to
remember you by?”
Patient Statement
“Everyone would be better off without me.
Nurse’s Statement
“Who is one person you believe would be
better off without you?”
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Practice Time…
Theresa, age 27, was admitted to the psychiatric unit from
the medial intensive care unit where she was treaded for
taking a deliberate overdose of her antidepressant
medication, trazodone (desyrel). She says to the nurse, "My
boyfriend broke up with me. We had been together for 6
years. I love him so much. I know I'll never get over him."
Which is the best response by the nurse?
1. You'll get over him in time, Theresa.
2. Forget him. There are other fish in the sea.
3. You must be feeling very sad about your loss.
4. Why do you think he broke up with you, Theresa?
Practice Time
The nurse is working with an inpatient who
has a history of suicide attempts. What
action by the client should the nurse follow
up on because it may constitute a suicide
planning behavior?
1. The client has begun stockpiling food in
the room
2. The client has requested extra bedding
despite the warm weather
3. The client is consistently late in coming
to the nurses' station to receive scheduled
medications
r. The client states that the client is agitated
and would like to be in the comfort room
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Homelessness
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Homelessness
 Homelessness or houselessness – also known as a state
of being unhoused or unsheltered – is the condition of
lacking stable, safe, and functional housing.
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Homelessness
Cultural attitudes are the beliefs and perspectives that a society
values; perspectives about individual responsibility for health and
well-being are influenced by prevailing cultural attitudes
The media communicate thoughts and attitudes through
newspapers, films, TV, art, and literature
To understand homelessness, nurses must consider their own
personal beliefs and attitudes, clients’ perceptions of their
condition, and the social, political, cultural, and environmental
factors that influence the client’s situation
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Homelessness
 Cultural attitudes
 Community attitudes
 Personal attitudes
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Homelessness
Many complex, interrelated factors contribute to the
growing number of homelessness individuals in the
United States:
 Decreased earnings
 Increased unemployment rates
 Changes in the labor force
 Inadequate education and job skills
 Inadequate antipoverty programs
 Inadequate welfare benefits
 Weak enforcement of child support statutes
 Dwindling Social Security payments to
children
 Increased numbers of children born to
single women
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Homelessness Across the Life Span
Higher rates of
chronic illness
Higher infant
morbidity and
mortality
Shorter life
expectancy
More complex
health problems
More significant
complications and
physical limitations
resulting from
chronic disease
Hospitalization rates
three times that for
persons with higher
incomes
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Living conditions - Ask where patient is staying. Explore
access to food, water, restrooms, place to store
medications; exposure to toxins, allergens, infection;
threats to health/safety. Be alert to possible homelessness.
Homelessness
Nursing
Assessment:
History-Taking
Prior homelessness - what precipitated it; whether first
time, episodic, chronic; history of foster care
Acute/ chronic illness - Ask about individual/ familial
history of asthma, chronic otitis media, anemia, diabetes,
TB, HIV/ STD’s, hospitalizations.
Medications – Ask about current medications, including
psychiatric l contraceptive/OTC meds, dietary
supplements, any “borrowed” medicine prescribed for
others.
Prior providers – including oral health providers; what
worked/ didn’t work, does patient have regular source of
primary care
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•
Mental illness/ cognitive deficit - problems with stress,
anxiety , appetite, sleep, concentration, mood, speech,
memory, thought process and content, suicidal/ homicidal
ideation, insight, judgment, impulse control, social
interactions; symptoms of brain injury (head aches, seizures,
memory loss, lability, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, poor
organizational/ decision making skills).
•
Developmental/ behavioral problems adaptive/maladaptive, underlying pathology
•
Alcohol/nicotine/other drug use - Ask about use
(amount, frequency, duration); look for signs of substance
abuse/dependence.
•
Health insurance - prescription drug coverage,
entitlements (Medicaid/ SCHIP, SSI/ SSDI), other assistance
•
Sexual - gender identity, sexual orientation, behaviors,
partners, pregnancies, hepatitis/ HIV/ other STIs
•
History & current risk of abuse - emotional, physical,
sexual abuse; knowledge of crisis resources, patient safety
Homelessness
Nursing
Assessment:
History-Taking
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Homelessness Nursing Assessment: History-Taking
•
Legal problems/ violence - against persons or property, history
of arrest/incarceration, treatment while incarcerated
•
Regular/ strenuous activities - consistent routines (treatment
feasibility); level of strenuous activity
•
Work history - longest time held a job, veteran status,
occupational injuries/ toxic exposures; vocational skills and interests
•
Education level, literacy – Ever in special ed.? If “trouble
reading,”, offer help with intake form; assess ability to read English.
•
Nutrition/ hydration - diet, food resources, preparation skills,
liquid intake
•
Cultural heritage/ affiliations/ supports - involvement with
family, friends, faith community, other sources of support
•
Strengths - coping skills, resourcefulness, abilities, interests
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Homelessness
Nursing
Assessment:
Physical Exam
•
Comprehensive exam - at 1st encounter if possible: height,
weight, BMI, % body fat, abdominal girth, heart, BP, lungs, thyroid,
liver, dermatological, oral, genital, lower extremities
•
Serial, focused exams - for patients uncomfortable with full-body,
unclothed exam at 1st visit
•
Special populations - Victims of abuse, sexual minorities
•
Dental assessment – age-appropriate teeth, obvious caries,
dental/referred pain, diabetes patients
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Homelessness: Potential Diagnostic Tests
Baseline labs including, EKG, lipid
panel, potassium &
creatinine levels, HbA1c,
liver function tests
Asthma – spirometry or
peak flow monitoring
TB – PPD for patients
living in shelters and
others at risk for
tuberculosis;
QuantiFERON®-TB Gold
test (QFT-G) if available
STD screening - for
chlamydia, gonorrhea,
syphilis, HIV , HBV , HCV
, trichomonas, bacterial
vaginosis,
Mental health - Patient
Health Questionnaire
Forensic evaluation - if
strong evidence of child
abuse
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Effects of Homelessness on Health
 Hypothermia and heat-related illnesses
 Infestations and poor skin integrity
 Peripheral vascular disease and







hypertension
Diabetes and nutritional deficits
Respiratory infection and chronic
obstructive pulmonary diseases
Tuberculosis (TB)
HIV/AIDS
Trauma
Mental illness
Use and abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit
drugs
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Homelessness: Nursing Interventions
Seek to provide “on—stop services” – i.e., mobile vans with
vaccinations, STD/TB testing, community resources/referrals, etc.
- or have nurses travel to homeless shelters/homeless areas
Consider the barriers that homeless people can face:
Lack of money
Lack of health
care/mental health
services
Lack of childcare
Food insecurity
How can these be
addressed by
nurses?
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Homelessness:
Nursing
Interventions
Change the language.
Anchoring someone down under a label creates the risk of someone
officially taking on that label and identity permanently. It’s time to
change the language so that those affected by a circumstance or
condition are upheld in the energy of transitioning into a better
outcome.
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Homelessness: Nursing Interventions
Offer frostbite checks in the streets and the shelters.
Frost bite is a killer of digits, ear lobes, and limbs. As we know, prevention is best and early
treatment is second best. It can be a slower row to hoe toward amputation from peripheral vascular
disease, diabetes, and wound infection.
Offer foot gear.
Start a boot and shoe brigade. Foot gear needs to be protective. The average person affected by
homelessness walks five miles per day. Even those who stay overnight in shelters cannot stay there
during the day. It’s out into the elements in the morning
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Help Individuals & Families Thrive
Not Just Survive
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Provide socks.
Homelessness:
Nursing
Interventions
In the winter, wool cotton socks go a long way at preventing
frostbite.
Donate feminine hygiene products.
Women affected by homelessness get menstrual cycles. It’s
tough going enough without dealing with the need for pads,
tampons, and wipes.
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Overarching Goals…
Eliminate health disparities, achieve health equity, and
attain health literacy to improve the health and well-being
of all
Healthy People
2030
Create social, physical, and economic environments that
promote attaining full potential for health and well-being
for all
Promote healthy development, healthy behaviors and
well-being across all life stages
https://health.gov/healthypeople
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Conclusion
Create
Show
Do not make
Be Kind…Be
Knowledgeable…
Be Yourself
Coordinate
Create a trusting environment
Show respect, compassion, and concern
Do not make assumptions
Coordinate services and providers
Advocate
Advocate for accessible health care services
Focus on
Focus on prevention
Know
Know when to “walk beside” the client and when to encourage
the client to “walk ahead”
Know
Know what resources are available
Develop
Develop your own support network
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