Healthcare for Homeless Patients Essay

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Preliminary Care Coordination PlanPatient-CenteredHealth interventions for homeless individuals must be patient-centered in order to be successful. This means that each individual must be treated as a unique case, with a personalized care plan that is based on their specific needs. Homeless patients often need specialized care plans that address multiple needs aside from the need for shelter—sometimes these can include plans for services such as counseling services, mental health services, addiction services, and others (Walker et al., 2021).An effective health intervention will also take into account the individual’s timeline for addressing the problem of homelessness. For some people, this may mean making a long-term commitment to housing and support services. For others, it may mean working towards more immediate goals, such as securing safe and stable housing. By understanding the individual\'s needs and timeline, health care providers can develop a plan that is more likely to lead to positive outcomes.Health Care IssuesHomeless people are especially vulnerable to poor health. Studies have shown that three health care issues are closely associated with homelessness: helplessness/hopelessness, impaired nutrition, and ineffective health maintenance (da Silva et al., 2018). Each of these issues can lead to serious health problems, and addressing them is essential to providing quality care for the homeless population.Helplessness or hopelessness refers to a sense of powerlessness and hopelessness that can be common among homeless people (da Silva et al., 2018). This feeling can be caused by a number of factors, including poverty, social isolation, and trauma. Impaired nutrition is another major health concern for the homeless population. Homeless people often lack access to nutritious food, and as a result, they may suffer from malnutrition. Finally, ineffective health maintenance is a significant problem for homeless people. Without regular access to medical care, the homeless population is at greater risk for a variety of health problems.Addressing these three health care issues is essential to providing quality care for the homeless population. Programs that provide basic necessities like food and shelter can help address the issue of impaired nutrition. Additionally, programs that offer regular access to medical care can help address the issue of ineffective health maintenance. Finally, counseling and other support services can help address the issue of helplessness by providing the hope and assistance that homeless people need to improve their lives (Walker et al., 2021).InterventionsThe stress of living on the streets can contribute to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, and to overwhelming feelings of helplessness and hopelessness (da Silva et al., 2018). One way to address the issue of helplessness for the homeless is through health care intervention that addresses these feelings directly. By providing access to counseling resources and support groups, healthcare workers can help homeless patients take steps to improve their health and well-being. In addition, by offering hope for a better future through health literacy, health care intervention can help break the cycle of homelessness (Thurman et al., 2022).One potential intervention to address impaired nutrition is to refer patients to food banks or other resources that can provide them with access to nutritious meals.

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In addition, health care providers can educate patients about the importance of good nutrition and provide them with information about healthy eating habits (Walker et al., 2021). By taking these steps, health care providers can help to ensure that homeless patients are able to receive the nutrients they need to stay healthy.Additionally, the homeless commonly suffer from chronic health problems, often as a result of ineffective health maintenance. While there are a variety of health care interventions that have been designed to address this issue, one that has shown promise is the Medical Respite Care…

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…health outcomes for the homeless population.Thus, the health policy implications for the coordination and continuum of care for the homeless are far-reaching. Addressing nutrition, mental health, and health maintenance are all essential components of providing care for this population. The first step is to ensure that all providers are on the same page, working together to provide coordinated care. For example, when a patient is discharged from a hospital, there should be a plan in place for follow-up care and ongoing support. Providers should also be trained to identify signs of mental illness and refer patients to appropriate resources. Also, preventative care services can help to improve the overall health of individuals in this population and reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions. By addressing these key areas, providers can make a significant difference in the lives of those who are homeless.Priorities to Consider When Discussing the Plan with Patient/FamilyWhen meeting with a patient and their family to discuss a care plan, there are a few priorities that a care coordinator should keep in mind. First, it is important to establish what the patient’s goals are. What are they hoping to achieve through care? Second, the care coordinator should review what the evidence says in terms of best practices. There may be new studies or recommendations that should be taken into account when developing a care plan. Finally, the care coordinator should work with the patient and family to identify any barriersto care. These could be financial, logistical, or anything else that might impede the patient’s ability to follow the plan.Changes should be made in accordance with specific patient needs while adhering to a course that enables the achievement of goals. Guiding this should be the Healthy People 2030 document, which emphasizes the need for greater access to care and reducing risks to health….....

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