Home Health Care Management & Practice

The marginalized population of newly released women inmates displays higher incidences of viral infections, mental illnesses, and chronic diseases (Wilper et al.). Current research has indicated that these health needs are not met during or after incarceration (Wilper et al.). Among other barriers, this gross health disparity increases the difficulty of reentry into society after release from incarceration. Welcome Home Ministries, a nonprofit organization that responds to the needs of postincarcerated women, helps facilitate the reentry process. Three Point Loma Nazarene University nursing students interning with Welcome Home Ministries created health outcome objectives for the organization to objectively measure their clients’ successes. The health outcome objectives explore the major needs of postincarcerated women and how they can be met. The many health issues of the newly released women provide significant implications for public and community health nurses in caring for these individuals.

This article addresses the various perceptions people from other cultures have regarding mental health and mental illness and the unique coping mechanisms they use based on their cultural beliefs and values. The various barriers to receiving mental health services and the reasons for such barriers are also discussed. In addition, the article stresses the importance of using and implementing culturally appropriate and sensitive assessments and therapeutic interventions.

Physical activity is an essential component for a healthy life and has implications for the prevention of chronic diseases and obesity. Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for many chronic diseases and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Attitudes of Black adolescent girls toward physical activity were identified as an important predictor for engaging in physical activity among Black adolescent girls. Understanding and addressing attitudes of Black adolescent toward physical activity could help increase physical activity levels of Black adolescent girls. Physical activity programs that are enjoyable and culturally relevant are discussed as effective strategies that can increase physical activity levels of this target group, that is, Black adolescent girls. To reverse this growing trend of physical inactivity noted in Black adolescent girls, more intervention programs directed at Black adolescent girls are needed.

The purpose of this article is to enhance nursing care for populations living on the U.S.—Mexico border by broadening nursing knowledge of related health issues. The health status of the individuals and families who reside on the border are negatively affected by many factors. These include population growth, health care access, poverty, high chronic disease rates, environment-related problems, and communicable diseases. Binational efforts, projects, and attention over the last 15 years have begun to acknowledge and attend to issues causing health challenges. Nursing’s contribution in the literature has focused on environmental health problems, such as childhood lead exposure. This article will review the status of border health, barriers to health care, and issues related to health care utilization. Implications for nursing practice and nursing research related to border health of individuals and families will be identified. Knowledge of these factors is the first step for nurses to address the unique problems of this population, which on the U.S. side of the border typically involves the uninsured and immigrant populations.

An emerging cultural paradox in the Native American community is the long history of respect for elders and the emergence of elder abuse as a problem. Elders commonly hold a special and respected place in traditional Native American societies due largely to their experience, knowledge, wisdom, and power as dreamers, healers, and teachers. Although violence against other tribal members is considered as unnatural and a threat to internal spiritual harmony, victimization, and abuse of elders and is recognized as a clandestine but increasing problem in the Native American community. This challenges health care providers and tribal members to provide safe and culturally congruent care to the elderly as well as coming to terms with this cultural paradox. There is a growing commitment by tribes to address this problem and to provide and honor the Native American elder. This article provides information for health care providers to better understand elder abuse in the cultural context of the Native American community as well implications for care.

The OASIS-C data set has been in use for more than a year now. The “large” questions have been answered; however, astute clinicians continue to seek to fine-tune their understanding of this important document. The October 2010 release of the CMS OASIS Certificate and Competency Board Q&As covers a wide range of topics, including wounds, dyspnea, pain, and patient education. CMS’ answers to the most recent questions are reviewed in this article.

This article addresses the stressors immigrants and refugees face upon coming to the United States. The importance of an in-depth assessment of the reasons for leaving their homelands and immigrating to a new country, premigration, and migration histories, as well as postmigration losses and psychological distress, have been emphasized. The article also highlights the concept that not all immigrants have the same migration experience or face the same degree of obstacles and challenges upon arrival.

This article addresses the acculturation process immigrants and refugees go through when immigrating to the United States, and the various factors that impact the process of acculturation for both the individual and the family as a whole. The nature of the acculturative stress, which groups of immigrants are mostly affected by it, and the psychological disorders caused as a result of going through this process have been discussed. Four strategies of coping with the acculturative stress process and the factors that impact the choice of a certain strategy have also been described.