Vulnerable Population Essay

1458 Words6 Pages
Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness Nurs 440 May 27, 2013 Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness There are many types of vulnerable populations in today’s society that are vulnerable to certain illnesses or diseases. One of the most common vulnerable populations is the elderly. As the age increases most often it also corresponds with cognitive changes, specifically dementia. Chronic illnesses in the elderly increase their vulnerability and begin to be more dependent on others for assistance. Upon growing older there many choices to be made and one of the most difficult is having to place the elder person in a nursing home when he/she is no longer capable of being independent. In the White American culture, nursing homes seems to be the popular choice to place their loved ones. This paper will discuss the demographics of the elderly with Alzheimer's disease and how the White American culture in America responds to the elderly with this disorder in the nursing facility, the writer’s personal awareness and attitudes prior to discovering information about the population and reflection after research was done about the population. Demographics of Elderly with Alzheimer’s disease It is not a normal part of the aging process when an elderly suffers from dementia; this is however, caused by an underlying condition. Dementia is severe loss of social and intellectual ability that interferes with their activities of daily living. There is about ten percent of the elderly population who suffer a type of dementia, in which many people will be a victim to Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the common causes of dementia in the elderly (Bassil & Grossberg, 2009). It affects an estimated 5.1 million people over the age of 65 and expected to increase by 2050 (Bassil & Grossberg, 2009). Those with this condition need extra assistance in

More about Vulnerable Population Essay

Open Document