VULNERABLE POPULATION PRESENTATION Concordia University Nebraska Nicole D. Rea RNBC

THE BLIND

KEY FACTS/STATISTICS: According to the World Health Organization (WHO): 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: on

 According to WHO there are four levels of visual function:  Normal vision  Moderate visual impairment  Severe visual impairment  Blindness   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: 2.American Foundation for the blind: 3.Nebraska Commission for the blind and visually impaired: World Health Organization: 5. Centers for Disease Control:

 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:

THE NURSE IS TEMPORARILY THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE UNCONSCIOUS, THE LOVE OF LIFE FOR THE SUICIDAL, THE LEG OF THE AMPUTEE, THE EYES OF THE NEWLY BLIND, A MEANS OF LOCOMOTION FOR THE INFANT AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE FOR THE YOUNG MOTHER… -VIRGINIA HENDERSON 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: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Federation of the Blind: Nebraska Commission for the Blind and visually impaired: World Health Organization: