Reference no: EM133241717

Case Study: Alan T. is a public health nurse and a member of a committee assigned to assess the health care needs of aging baby boomers in Duxbury County. Previously, he worked primarily in diabetes management for adults. From his encounters with the patients, Nurse Alan became concerned about how newly-diagnosed diabetic patients coped with making the lifestyle changes recommended.

Nurse Alan began to survey newly-diagnosed patients and their families regarding what helped or hindered their success with the lifestyle changes recommended after they had been diagnosed with diabetes. Having someone to talk to and to advise them on a regular basis was the most common factor in a successful transition. Many diabetic patients felt overwhelmed with their new diagnosis and had trouble remembering what they had been taught in the doctor's office. Family members voiced that they felt confused about what it meant to be diabetic and did not understand what they could do to offer support to the patient.

Additionally, Alan and his committee are aware that as the "baby-boomer population" ages, health care professionals must prepare for a rapid increase in the number of people older than 65 years of age. The committee's purpose is to make suggestions to the health department and county officials about how to prepare for the influx in health services that will be needed for these older adults.

Currently, 25% of the population in Duxbury County is older than age 65. However, in 25 years, this percentage is expected to increase to more than 50%. Currently, five primary care providers are practicing in the county, and service waiting lists range from 1 to 3 weeks; only one of these providers specializes in geriatric care. A single 54-bed long-term nursing care facility is located in the northern region of the spacious county. Because of the rural roads, no public transit system is in place. However, residents can call a hospital shuttle if they need to arrange transportation to a doctor's appointment.

Question: Use the USDHHS's Healthy People in Healthy Communities (2001) to develop a strategy for meeting 2-3 health needs of this community.