VULNERABLE POPULATION PRESENTATION

Concordia University Nebraska

Nicole D. Rea RNBC

2-10-14

THE BLIND

KEY FACTS/STATISTICS:

According to the World Health

Organization (WHO):

1. 285 million people are est. to

be visually impaired

worldwide; 39 million are

blind and 246 million have

low vision

2. 90% of visually impaired live

in developing nations

3. 82% of blind people are

50yrs or older

4. 80% of all visual impairment

can be avoided or cured

KEY FACTS/STATISTICS:

According to the National Federation of the Blind (2011):

Nebraska had a population of 26,100 persons with visual impairment

4,232,100 of the visually impaired in the US in 2011 had less than a

high school education (ages 21-64)

The median annual earnings for this population in 2011 was just over

$33,000 and 18% received SSI

77% of the blind population in 2011 was insured but only 36.8% were

employed. Retrieved from: https://nfb.org/blindness-statistics on 2-1-

2014

According to WHO there are

four levels of visual function:

Normal vision

Moderate visual impairment

Severe visual impairment

Blindness

www.who.int

Poverty and high

unemployment rates

Lack of knowledge and

resources

Increased stress and

poor overall health and

wellbeing

THE BLIND

Definition: Health concerns/disparities:

STRENGTHS & RESILIENCIES OF

THE BLIND:

Most visually impaired or

blind folks are just like

anyone else. We are all

unique in our own

creation and this is the

same for the blind.

Knowledge is power and

with it comes strength.

They are often more

resilient as they rely on

their other senses so

keenly!

HELEN KELLER:

“If I am happy in spite of

my deprivations,

if my happiness is so

deep that it is a faith,

so thoughtful that it

becomes a philosophy of

life.

If, in short, I am an

optimist,

my testimony to the

creed of optimism is

worth hearing.”

RAY CHARLES:

“Learning to read

music in Braille and

play by ear helped

me develop a damn

good memory.”

BARRIERS FOR THE BLIND:

Communication

Education/employment

Technology

Vision care/insurance: lack of benefits

Lack of resources due to poverty

Lack of support systems

RESOURCES/SERVICES:

1. National Federation of the blind:

www.nfb.org

2. American Foundation for the

blind: www.afb.org

3. Nebraska Commission for the

blind and visually impaired:

www.ncbvi.ne.gov

4. World Health Organization:

www.who.int

5. Centers for Disease Control:

www.cdc.gov

Pt. health history and

current status

Pt. educational level,

support systems,

economical status

Pt. emotional/spiritual

and psychological status

Educate on visual impairment:

cause, treatment, interventions,

prevention and follow-up’s needed

Educate on local resources

Talk about Brail and where to get

educated in area

Encourage family/friend support

and participation in local

organizations for help

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

Nursing assessment: Education:

T H E N U R S E I S T E M P O R A R I LY T H E C O N S C I O U S N E S S O F T H E U N C O N S C I O U S,

T H E L O V E O F L I F E F O R T H E S U I C I D A L , T H E L E G O F T H E A M P U T E E , T H E E Y E S O F

T H E N E W LY B L I N D, A M E A N S O F L O C O M O T I O N F O R T H E I N FA N T A N D T H E K N O W L E D G E A N D C O N F I D E N C E F O R T H E

Y O U N G M O T H E R …-V I R G I N I A H E N D E R S O N

Nursing Theory:

Virginia Henderson’s: Fourteen

components of nursing care

REFERENCES:

Chesnay, B & Anderson, B. (2012) Caring for the vulnerable: perspectives in nursing theory, practice, and research. Burlington, MA. Jones & Bartlett.

Masters, K. (2012) Nursing theories: a framework for professional practice. Sudbury, MA. Jones & Bartlett

American Foundation of the Blind: www.afb.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov

National Federation of the Blind: www.nfb.org

Nebraska Commission for the Blind and visually impaired: www.ncbvi.ne.gov

World Health Organization: www.who.int