VULNERABLE POPULATION
PRESENTATION
Concordia University Nebraska
Nicole D. Rea RNBC
2-10-14
THE BLIND
KEY FACTS/STATISTICS:
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO):
1.
285 million people are est. to be
visually impaired worldwide; 39
million are blind and 246 million have
low vision
2.
90% of visually impaired live in
developing nations
3.
82% of blind people are 50yrs or
older
4.
80% of all visual impairment can be
avoided or cured
KEY FACTS/STATISTICS:
 According to the National Federation of the Blind (2011):
 Nebraska had a population of 26,100 persons with visual impairment
 4,232,100 of the visually impaired in the US in 2011 had less than a
high school education (ages 21-64)
 The median annual earnings for this population in 2011 was just over
$33,000 and 18% received SSI
 77% of the blind population in 2011 was insured but only 36.8% were
employed.
Retrieved from: https://nfb.org/blindness-statistics on 2-1-2014
THE BLIND
Definition:
 According to WHO there are
four levels of visual function:
 Normal vision
 Moderate visual impairment
 Severe visual impairment
Health concerns/disparities:
 Poverty and high
unemployment rates
 Lack of knowledge and
resources
 Blindness
 Increased stress and poor
 www.who.int
overall health and wellbeing
STRENGTHS &
RESILIENCIES OF THE
BLIND:
Most visually impaired or blind
folks are just like anyone else. We
are all unique in our own
creation and this is the same for
the blind. Knowledge is power
and with it comes strength. They
are often more resilient as they
rely on their other senses so
keenly!
HELEN KELLER:
“If I am happy in spite of my
deprivations,
if my happiness is so deep that it
is a faith,
so thoughtful that it becomes a
philosophy of life.
If, in short, I am an optimist,
my testimony to the creed of
optimism is worth hearing.”
RAY CHARLES:
“Learning to read music in
Braille and play by ear helped
me develop a damn good
memory.”
BARRIERS FOR THE BLIND:
 Communication
 Education/employment
 Technology
 Vision care/insurance: lack of benefits
 Lack of resources due to poverty
 Lack of support systems
RESOURCES/SERVICES:
1.
National Federation of the
blind: www.nfb.org
2.
American Foundation for the
blind: www.afb.org
3.
Nebraska Commission for the
blind and visually impaired:
www.ncbvi.ne.gov
4.
World Health Organization:
www.who.int
5. Centers for Disease Control:
www.cdc.gov
NURSING IMPLICATIONS:
Nursing assessment:
Education:
 Pt. health history and current
 Educate on visual impairment: cause,
status
follow-up’s needed
 Pt. educational level, support
systems, economical status
treatment, interventions, prevention and
 Educate on local resources
 Talk about Brail and where to get
educated in area
 Pt. emotional/spiritual and
 Encourage family/friend support and
psychological status
help
participation in local organizations for
Nursing Theory:
Virginia Henderson’s: Fourteen components
of nursing care
THE NURSE IS TEMPORARILY THE
CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE UNCONSCIOUS, THE
L OV E O F L I F E F O R T H E S U I C I DA L , T H E L E G
OF THE AMPUTEE, THE EYES OF THE NEWLY
B L I N D, A M E A N S O F L O C O M O T I O N F O R T H E
I N FA N T A N D T H E K N OW L E D G E A N D
CONFIDENCE FOR THE YOUNG MOTHER…
-VIRGINIA HENDERSON
REFERENCES:
Chesnay, B & Anderson, B. (2012) Caring for the vulnerable: perspectives in nursing theory, practice,
and research. Burlington, MA. Jones & Bartlett.
Masters, K. (2012) Nursing theories: a framework for professional practice. Sudbury, MA. Jones &
Bartlett
American Foundation of the Blind: www.afb.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
National Federation of the Blind: www.nfb.org
Nebraska Commission for the Blind and visually impaired: www.ncbvi.ne.gov
World Health Organization: www.who.int