Alan T. is a public health nurse and a member of a committee assigned to assess the health care needs of aging baby boomers in Duxbury County. Alan and his committee are
aware that as the "baby-boomer population" ages, health care professionals must prepare for a rapid increase in the number of people older than 65 years of age. The committee's purpose is to
make suggestions to the health department and county officials about how to prepare for the influx in health services that will be needed for these older adults. Currently, 25% of the population in
Duxbury County is older than the age of 65. However, in 25 years this percentage is expected to increase to more than 50%. Currently, five primary care providers are practicing in the county, and
service waiting lists range from one to three weeks; only one of these providers specializes in geriatric care. A single 54-bed long-term nursing care facility is located in the northern region of the
county. Because of several factors, including the population density in rural areas is too low to support transportation; no formal public transit system is in place. However, residents can call a
hospital shuttle if they need to arrange transportation to a doctors appointment. Moreover, public health data suggests that the incidence of chronic health problems such as heart disease
hypertension and diabetes is high.
Based on the case study above, please address the following. Remember, the first step in community assessment is to clearly define the client. 1. Identify characteristics members of the
community have in common. 2. Locate and analyze data the public health nurse should use to assess this community's: a. economics b. health c. access to services d. safety e. education f. culture
g. social determinants of health h. genetic determinants of health 3. Identify three actual or potential health problems present in this community. 4. Identify three interventions for each identified
actual or potential health problem. Include supporting rationale. 5. Propose three measurable outcomes you hope to achieve for each intervention. Include supporting rationale.