Caring For The Vulnerable

« Caring for the Vulnerable Perspectives in Nursing Theory, Practice, and Research, Fourth Edition explores vulnerability from the perspective of individuals, groups, communities, and populations. The text specifically addresses how vulnerability affects the field of nursing and its care givers and focuses on how to work with these populations. Written from a global perspective, the Fourth Edition provides an overview of treatments and issues as well presents a basic structure for caring for the vulnerable with the ultimate goal of providing culturally competent care. »--

Organized into seven units - concepts, nursing theories, research, practice, programs, teaching-learning and policy - this text offers a broad focus on vulnerability and vulnerable populations in addition to extending nurses' thinking on the theoretical formulations that guide practice. It is a timely and necessary response to the culturally diverse vulnerable populations for whom nurses must provide appropriate and precise care.

Within an expanding field of study in both undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula, this Third Edition explores vulnerability from the perspective of individuals, groups, communities, and populations while addressing how vulnerability affects nurses, nursing, and nursing care. This new edition presents a basic structure for caring for the vulnerable with the ultimate goal of providing culturally competent care. Theoretical and research chapters progress towards others offering meaningful learning experiences for both nursing students and practitioners. Further, since nurses are the crucial link between those who are vulnerable and those with access to solutions, this text provides ideas for how nurses might advocate for the vulnerable on a policy level. Written specifically for nurses by nurses, this Third Edition is a timely and necessary response to the culturally diverse, vulnerable populations for whom nurses must provide appropriate and precise care.

Winner of an AJN Book of the Year Award! Named an Outstanding Academic Title for 2007 by Choice! "Well organized, extensively referenced, and illustrated with figures/tables, this work represents a unique, multipurpose, interdisciplinary approach to elder care...Highly recommended." --CHOICE Based on the concept that vulnerability in the older populace encompasses those who are at increased risk for physical and psychosocial health problems, this book takes a closer look at vulnerability and how it affects five specific populations within the elderly: Those incarcerated in prisons The homeless Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people Those who are HIV positive or living with AIDS The frail Both physical and psychosocial health care issues and needs are addressed as well as interventions and resources that can be implemented to care for these very specific populations and their requirements for successful physical and mental health care. The unique challenges of hospice care in prisons; the lack of services that cater to homeless older people; and the overall attitude towards helping elderly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people are some of the increasingly important issues covered. Unique features include: The latest research and theoretical approaches are summarized to give health professionals a concise picture of health care needs of these older adults Themes of interdisciplinary approach to care, cultural considerations, and neglect and abuse are integrated throughout Strategies and resources for caring for older adults with dementia are discussed for each vulnerable population

Carefully researched and highly readable, this textbook looks at the experiences and health and social needs of key ‘vulnerable groups’. It presents an engaging social science perspective relevant to everyone exploring how we, and society, care for the vulnerable. Each chapter defines and explores a vulnerable social group, bringing together theoretical, policy, and practice perspectives. The lively and engaging style enables the reader to engage with the client group and to reflect upon their own learning and practice in a more meaningful way.

The right of adults with sound mind to consent to treatment or risk their own health for the benefit of the community in a clinical trial is unequivocally recognised by the law. But what about those vulnerable by virtue of their age, nature or position in society? Experts from the fields of medicine, philosophy, theology and law, explore the ethical and legal principles which seek to reconcile the individual's right to autonomy with the need to protect vulnerable groups. Discussions refer both to specific groups (premature babies, children, people with mental handicaps) and specific issues (cases of abuse by sterilization of women, suicide, the right to information).

On average, people in Europe are living longer, and are in better health. Despite this, however, a significant degree of health inequality is emerging among different socioeconomic groups. Assessment-of-need procedures and eligibility rules define the target population in ‘need-of-care’, and represent a compulsory gateway for olderadults in order to receive home-care benefits, either in-kind or in-cash. In this context, the economic relevance of formal long-term care has been growing and the rates of care-dependent older people in need of long-term care are estimated to increase in the forthcoming decades. The authors of this volume compare micro-data from SHARE (the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) and ELSA (the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing) across Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom’s England and Wales, where eligibility rules are care-blind. They critically review long-term care regulations in Europe, offering a detailed taxonomy of the role and the characteristics of vulnerability-evaluations and eligibility criteria. This book is of interest to academics in health economics and social policy, managers in the health sector, policy makers and professionals interested in the design, implementation and evaluation of long-term care policies. It could also be used to support different courses in the fields of ageing, health economics and policy evaluation.

Within an expanding field of study in both undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula, Caring for the Vulnerable explores vulnerability from the perspective of individuals, groups, communities and populations, and addresses the implication of that vulnerability for nurses, nursing, and nursing care. This new edition presents a basic structure for caring for the vulnerable, and forms a theoretical perspective on caring for doing so within a cultural context, with the ultimate goal of providing culturally competent care. Theoretical and research chapters advance to chapters offering learning experiences for nursing students and practitioners. As nurses are the crucial link between those who are vulnerable, and those with access to solutions, it provides ideas for how nurses might advocate for the vulnerable on a policy level. Written specifically for nurses, by nurses, Caring for the Vulnerable is a timely and necessary response to the culturally diverse vulnerable populations for whom nurses must provide appropriate and precise care.