In completing the case study, students will be addressing the following learning objectives:
Discuss factors that contribute to homelessness in people with mental illness.
Discuss barriers that prevent homeless people with mental illness from receiving care measures to promote access.
1. Kevin, a 39-year-old unemployed homeless male who has paranoid schizophrenia, was brought to the psychiatric hospital by the police. Citizens called the police because Kevin was in the street directing pedestrians and traffic in opposition to the traffic lights and verbally abusing everyone who did not follow his directions. Kevin is known to the police since he is often homeless, and states that his family does not want him. Kevin also has a history of poly substance abuse with alcohol, heroin, and crack cocaine, and he has been jailed for public intoxication several times. The nursing assessment reveals that Kevin has not been taking his prescribed psychotropic medications for 3 weeks. Kevin states that he does not have any money, and he does not remember where to go for mental health care (Learning Objectives: 2)
a. What are the major factors that contribute to Kevin’s frequent homelessness?
b. What barriers does Kevin face in the receiving treatment? How can these barriers be addressed?
Social determinants of health are economic and social conditions that influence the health of people and communities. Determinant factors that contributes to a person current state of health include biological, socioeconomic, psychological, behavioral, and social in nature. This also includes genetic, health behaviors, social environment, physical environment, and health services Determinants affect a individuals health, functioning, and quality of life (CDC, 2017).
Social determinants of health are conditions in the environment in which people are born, live, lean, work, play, and worship. These things have a direct impact of individuals health. For example one can increase their risk for heart disease by making poor diet choices as well as decrease activity level (CDC, 2017). The chain of communicable diseases involves the chain of infection. Infection results from the interaction of an agent, host, and environment. Transmission occurs when agent leaves its reservoir through port of exit by a mode of transmission and enters through a portal of entry. Their are many things that can break this chain. Hand washing, vaccinations, and sanitary conditions can be simple ways to break this chain. Attaining knowledge of the entry, exit, and modes of transmission provides for control measures (CDC, 2017).
Social determinants impacts individuals health. Communicable diseases can also affect many individuals. It is important to take the necessary actions in decreasing the risk as well as decreasing the spread of diseases. Acknowledgment and implications of these risks can sure make a difference.
