Vulnerable Populations

Elderly in The Community

Keri Davis

Chamberlain College of Nursing

NR-443: RN Community Health Nursing

January 2017

        Cumberland Maryland is a beautiful place. The mountains and scenery are something many people travel to see. The C&O canal, the trains, and the history of Cumberland are some of the reasons tourists come to visit. What many people do not know is what goes on inside the city. Over the passed 20 years Cumberland has been given the nickname little Baltimore. The drug and crime rates have drastically increased. Some blame this on the prisons built in the area, others blame it on the declining economy. Whatever the reason may be it has put our elderly population at risk.

The Elderly

        The elderly are vulnerable in this area. They are living on limited incomes and have the least help when they are in need of it. They are scared to go anywhere, especially after dark, in the area due to the increased drugs and crime rates. They appear to be well kept and well nourished for the most part. They are mostly seen socializing with family or other elderly people in the community.

Strengths, Risk Factors, and/or Barriers

        The elderly population has a lot to offer to our community. They have experienced so much in their lives. They have a vast knowledge of life. Some have lived through life threatening diseases and some have survived War. To sit down and talk to an elderly person and all they have experienced is liberating. They have so much insight to share, if given the chance to.

        Being elderly also has its risks. Being elderly puts you at risk for being affected by different illnesses. The flu and pneumonia may not be a risk to the younger, healthier population, but it can be fatal to the elderly. Their immune systems are not as strong. Their comorbidities factor in as well. The more health problems a person has the worse the illness is going to be for them. Their social lives also plays a part as well. Most elderly are socially isolated, either by choice or circumstance, which puts them at increased risk for contracting an illness.

        The elderly population has a lot of barriers as well. As previously stated, being socially isolated puts them at risk. It not only puts them at risk for contracting illnesses, it can also lead to mental health issues. “In addition to adjusting to physiological changes related to aging and health concerns (discussed later in this chapter), older adults must cope with psychosocial and role changes such as retirement, relocation, widowhood, loss of family and friends, and possibly raising their grandchildren.”(Nies 2016) When a person is used to being around their family or friends, and has been placed in a nursing home or is confined to their home due to health problems, it can lead to depression. With the elderly population having deteriorating health, they face a lot of obstacles. They may not drive any more and have to rely on friends and family to get them where they need to go. They may have difficulty with daily activities such as bathing, cooking, cleaning, etc., and rely on others to do it for them.