A Vulnerable Population

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that the elderly population has less money, less food, more physical and mental difficulties and a higher chance of being harmed or taken advantage of. The paper discusses nutrition issues and Medicare in America, government health care in Europe and other insurance issues. The paper shows how between the nutrition that they often do not receive and the lack of strong medical care based on poor insurance, the elderly people in the world today are truly a vulnerable population.

From the Paper:

"Low income and poor living conditions are but two of the difficulties that many of these older people face when it comes to proper nutrition (Sahyoun, 2002). Other factors include a lack of ability to prepare proper food, living alone, a lack of support from family and friends, and a lack of food that is deemed acceptable (Sahyoun, 2002). Some medications can also interact and cause a loss of appetite, which can lead to malnutrition (Sahyoun, 2002). In addition to these problems, senses such as taste and smell can be somewhat less sharp in older age, which causes older people to have less interest in the foods that they consume (Sahyoun, 2002). A further concern is oral health, as many older people have problems with their teeth and mouths that cause them pain, making it more difficult to eat many of the foods that they previously enjoyed, even if they are hungry (Sahyoun, 2002)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bartholomew LK, Parcel GS, Kok G, & Gottlieb NH. 2001. Intervention Mapping: Designing Theory and Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.
• Collinsworth, R., & Boyle, K. 1989. Nutritional assessment in the elderly. Journal of Gerontological Nursing 15(12): 17-21.
• Gambrell, K.A. 2003. White House rolls out Medicare reform plan. United Press International.
• Industry Group 91 2000. President Clinton releases new state-by-state report demonstrating urgent need for Medicare reform. Regulatory Intelligence Data.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. 1997. Many working families struggle to get needed care and pay medical bills [on-line]. Kaiser Family Foundation; available from http://www.kff. org/archive/health_policy/uninsured/working/workingpr.html; Internet; accessed 31 March 2003.

More papers on A Vulnerable Population:

• Analytical Essay # 134838 : "Elderly as a Vulnerable Population"
• Research Paper # 145475 : "Elderly as a Vulnerable Population"
• Term Paper # 105300 : "Senior Citizens as a Vulnerable Population"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: