Research Paper on Vulnerability of the Elderly

Introduction

A vulnerable population refers to a group of individuals who cannot cope, recover and withstand impacts of disasters, environmental health emergencies. The vulnerability of a population depends on the geographical location as well as the social status in the community. Several factors may put a given group of individuals into vulnerability. The factors include age, economic status, health disparities, morbidity and mortality. According to Shi and Singh, (2014), it has been a concern for the health care providers as well as the government to ensure that the vulnerable populations are sorted and are given equal chances for equity like the other groups. This paper focuses on a vulnerable population of the frail older adults. The paper further analyses the contributing factors to the vulnerability of the weak older adults. Also, the paper focuses on evaluating the implication of the vulnerability to health promotion and the health care delivery systems.

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The frail elderly are the individuals aged over 65years, and they mostly depend on others for daily living and care. They are characterized by the inability to be entirely independent for daily activities to sustain themselves for a living. The frail elderly are also characterized with living in a segregated manner (Shi & Singh, 2014). Apparently, it is notable that in most countries the old are prone to old-age related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension. Besides, they are known to be at risk of health disparities such as lack of access to quality healthcare, financial problems and social problems as well. Old age is one of the health risk factors for many chronic diseases as aforementioned. Apparently, according to research, about two-thirds of deaths in the elderly are caused by the old age-related illness. According to the National Council on Aging, it is estimated that at least 92% of seniors suffer from at least one chronic disease and about 77 percent suffer from at least two on ageing (Inouye et al., 2014).

The vulnerability of the elderly is always contributed by some factors that are sometimes preventable. Therefore, it is essential to focus on the contributing factors when addressing the vulnerability issue of the elderly. Income is one of the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the old (Inouye et al., 2014). According to a research carried out among the elderly population, it is established that previous income of individuals dramatically influences their eating habits. When an individual was living on a low income, or on a pension, they are likely to suffer from financial crisis. Diet is essential for one's health, and hence income determines the kind of diet that one will have. Those with a history of high income are likely to live a sedentary lifestyle and therefore getting vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases as well as developing cancer.

Secondly, age is known to influence one's decisions and health behavior. The elderly are likely to get tired quickly and often reported not to practice proper health behaviors such as routine physical exercises. Therefore, it is apparent that lack of physical exercise contributes to the risk of developing chronic cardiovascular diseases, hence making the elderly population vulnerable (Shi & Singh, 2014).

Additionally, education and awareness is another significant factor that poses the elderly at risk of exploitation and poor health. Knowledge on health-related matters is substantial for the well-being of individuals. When one does not know how to keep themselves healthy and having a happier life, it is likely they will suffer from preventable diseases. It is apparent that when one is aware of their rights, they can go for them and hence if the elderly population is educated, they will know their rights to good and quality healthcare (Shi & Singh, 2014). Lack of knowledge renders the elderly vulnerable to exploitation and denials of their rights to good health.

Apparently, it is evident that the elderly are likely to suffer from psychological conditions such as depression and stress. The sadness and stress are brought about by loneliness due to social isolation as well as physical factors such as abuse. Research shows that the elderly are always in most cases isolated in some geographical regions, the rural areas where health facilities are limited. Isolation of the elderly dramatically contributes to the development of some health conditions that are a risk to the wellbeing of individuals. Such conditions render the elderly population vulnerable and lack independence. Depression may lead to diseases such as hypertension (Mossialos et al., 2016). Treating and management of the diseases are much expensive and time-consuming, therefore making the elderly unable to access quality healthcare and hence lowering their life expectancy.

The vulnerable population is, in turn, has a significant implication to the health care delivery systems as well as health promotion program. Some of the repercussions adversely affect the delivery of care and others can easily be prevented by educating the population (Shi & Singh, 2014). When the elderly population increases, it becomes a huge burden to their families. Apparently, the frail old cannot be dependent, and therefore need care and full support from their family members. As aforementioned, the frail elderly population is at risk of many chronic diseases (Mossialos et al., 2016). The diseases are expensive and complicated to treat and manage, thus making it a burden both to the health care delivery systems as some of them may require medical care from a professional.

According to Shi, & Singh, (2014), in the rural areas, it is apparent that there is lack of access to quality healthcare and hence, straining the frail elderly population will be straining the few available healthcare facilities. Evidently, the health care systems at the rural areas where the frail elderly population is in large number may lack adequate care providers and thus make pushing the health care systems to the wall to strain in delivering care to the population.

Health promotion is significantly affected by a massive number of frail elderly populations. Health population is concerned with spread awareness on health-related issues. Low memory characterizes the elderly population and hence can quickly forget whatever they are educated regarding their health. It is likely that the old population may fail to implement whatever they are taught into practice and thus the group affects the health promotion programs in place (Mossialos et al., 2016). Also, it is apparent that the elderly populations living in the rural areas are likely to lack adequate education and thus educating them on the need for safe health behaviors may not significantly impact positively on them.

According to Lucatorto et al., (2016), nurses play a significant role in the health sector. Nurses can greatly instill positive attitude to the entire population on the perception of the frail elderly population. A nurse can be a researcher. As a researcher, a nurse can play a role in studying the vulnerable population which in this case is the frail elderly. The nurse is expected to start with the root of what contributes to the vulnerability of the frail elderly population. By identifying the cause of vulnerability, it will be easy to address the issue of vulnerability as the roots can be cut off and thus eliminating the main problem at a more excellent pace (Shi & Singh, 2014). Also, as a researcher, a nurse is expected to give conclusions on the status quo as well as offering solutions in the form of recommendations to the other concerned stakeholder.

Also, a nurse can be an advocate for the frail, vulnerable population. As an advocate, a nurse is expected to support and talk on behalf of the vulnerable population. The primary role of a nurse as an advocate, one is expected to interact with the group, understand their challenges and hence address the issue to those concerned with taking cater of the vulnerable (Fain, 2017). Also, the nurse as an advocate, the other role is to pass messages from the stakeholders to the group.

Conclusion

In summary, vulnerability is the state where one is unable to be independent and instead depend on others for survival. The frail elderly is one of the vulnerable p[populations due to some underlying factors such as age, health disparities as well as diseases. The vulnerability can impact negatively the delivery of healthcare as well as health promotion programs. Nurses can play a role in addressing the needs of the frail elderly by being an advocate and a researcher.

References

Inouye, S. K., Westendorp, R. G., & Saczynski, J. S. (2014). Delirium in elderly people. The Lancet, 383(9920), 911-922.

Mossialos, E., Wenzl, M., Osborn, R., & Sarnak, D. (2016). 2015 international profiles of health care systems. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.Lucatorto, M. A., Thomas, T. W., & Siek, T. (2016). Registered nurses as caregivers: Influencing the system as patient advocates. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(3).

Fain, J. A. (2017). Reading, understanding, and applying nursing research. FA Davis.

Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2014). Delivering health care in America. Jones & Bartlett Learning.