Homeless Culture

This week's topic was focused on the culture of homeless individuals. In this reflective journal I will share some personal thoughts and lessons learned from this topic.


Lesson's Learned: Homelessness
Homeless individuals are people who do not have sufficient means to provide shelter for themselves. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services define homeless as, "An individual who lacks housing (without regard to whether the individual is a member of a family), including an individual whose primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility that provides temporary living accommodations, and an individual who is a resident in transitional housing." 

There are many factors that can contribute to becoming homeless. Examples include, loss of employment, not being able to afford rent, lack of proper health care, substance abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, and poverty. While there are many more factors that could contribute these examples are common reasons many find themselves on the streets. Throughout the United States the rate of individuals becoming homeless are rapidly increasing. 

Homeless individuals value survival. Thus, they must depend on themselves in order to survive. However, there is a common comradery within the culture of homelessness. They appreciate social interactions with peers because it creates a sense of belonging and acceptance. Homeless individuals share a spirit of friendship and togetherness while they endure their difficult circumstances. Because these people lack a home and are simply striving to survive, they believe in helping one another out. Thus, the homeless community considers each other family and friends, regardless of blood relations. 

#nursingbyCOURTNEY: How to apply this knowledge to your nursing practice. 
Remember when you were in elementary school and the teacher would have you write down what you want to become when you grow up? "When I grow up I want to be a.... " Kids list things like: doctor, firefighter, lawyer, police man, pilot, and so on. Most kids usually don't dream of becoming homeless and living on the streets. Unfortunately, life happens and sometimes individuals are left to survive the harsh conditions of life. So, as nurses we must have an open mind when caring for homeless people. It is important to be kind and compassionate towards them with no harsh judgements. With all our patients we need provide emotional support. But I think homeless individuals may need a little extra emotional support.

So here is the #nursingbyCOURTNEY... Spend a little extra time with these individuals. After treating their physical needs go the extra mile, give them an opportunity to shower, offer them something to eat, ask about their story, and listen to them. I believe making homeless individuals feel important and wanted will help build a trusting relationship and allow them to want to continue to seek medical care and treatment. 

Courtney's "Two-Cent's"
This week's cultural topic certainly was an "eye-opener." I never truly considered homelessness to be a culture or something I needed to learn about. I thought the idea of homelessness was simple, they don't have a home. While researching more about homeless individuals and watching "The Pursuit of Happiness" I realized how often we forget out this group of people. Not just forget, but disregard them. Many people judge these individuals and mark them with the stigma of the "drug addicts." After reading more I realized this is not the case for a good portion of homeless people. I also realized these people are just like anyone else and should be treated kindly and respectfully. 
This topic has helped open my mind to how blessed I am and how I need to be better at recognizing others. It also helped me gain a new perspective on how to see these individuals, not as dirty people on the street, but rather are individuals who need to treated just like everyone else. 

References:
Homeless quote taken from: https://www.nhchc.org/faq/official-definition-homelessness/
Pictures taken from : http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/10/14/ten-facts-about-being-homeless-usa
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/family-friends-and-advocates-celebrate-lives-mourn-passing-of-the/article_44d73145-b23b-5c30-b490-9382581af61c.html
https://nursing322sp10.wordpress.com/spotlight-on-the-homeless-population/
http://allnurses.com/nurse-colleague-patient/boundaries-940245.html