Essay on Health Disparities of elderly population

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate and discuss healthcare vulnerabilities of the elderly rural population in Baker County, Florida and describe how the nursing profession can address these problems. Rural health has been a complex and multifaceted challenge for government and healthcare practitioners. The elderly who live alone in the county suffer from low socioeconomic status, low health literacy rates, declining cognitive and physical health and lack of healthcare facilities. The health status of this vulnerable group is impacted by rural culture and social values, healthcare policy and funding affecting rural healthcare facilities, distance and lack of transportation, and health literacy. Method A review of current nursing†¦show more content†¦Consequently, these trends coupled with low health literacy result in rankings of 63rd and 64th in the state for morbidity and mortality respectively. Discussion Healthy People 2020 basically describes a health disparity as a difference in health trends in a community that is closely related to low socio-economics. Disparities adversely affect populations who have experienced greater obstacles to health based on their socioeconomic status, age, mental health or other characteristics historically linked to systematic discrimination or exclusion (Healthy People 2020). Identifying and addressing health disparities for the rural elderly has been a great challenge. Problems of the elderly who live alone in poverty in Baker County are considerable when additional factors such as increased physical limitations, medical needs, and social isolation are taken into account. As a vulnerable population, the rural elderly are affected by their low socioeconomic standing, lower literacy rates, declining health, declines in cognitive functioning and relative lack of available nearby health resources. Seniors often live on a fixed income from pensions or other retirement plans and social security. Additionally, inability to purchase affordable health insurance,Show MoreRelatedHealth Disparities Of The American Indian Elderly Population1760 Words   |  8 PagesHealth disparities in the American Indian Elderly Population by Anabel Rotger The aim of this paper is to gain information and knowledge about health disparities. The objectives are to understand what is a disparity, to determine if in fact there are health disparities, to learn who are the target of disparities, to recognize how does a disparity affect the target, and most importantly to assess how can a disparity be eliminated. 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