Homeless Veterans - Annotated Bibliography Example

College: Annotated Bibliography: Homeless Veterans Nakashima, John, McGuire, Jim, Berman, Stephene and Daniels, Williams. Developing Programs for Homeless Veterans. Social work in Health Care. 40.2(2005): 1-12. Print. This article provides information on the historical and political influences in implementing programs that are designed to help homeless veterans. This article, therefore, provides insight into the social effects of homelessness and also aids in obtaining better comprehension of the connection between program implementation by the government and the wide array of local care agencies. This exploratory study was done to determine the levels of diversity, based on which veterans are accepted in programs that assist them in integrating with the rest of society. Cunningham, Mary and Lyons, Webb. Vital Mission: Ending Homeless among Veterans. 2007. 4 April 2013< www.usich.gov> In the above brief analysis, Cunningham & Lyons give some insight into the degree of homelessness among war veterans. This article shows that at any given time and day, there is a major overrepresentation of veterans amongst the homeless individuals. The article further suggests that a third of mature homeless males are veterans. Additionally, this investigative article indicates that ¼ of all homeless persons or about forty four to sixty six thousand veterans are constantly homeless. The authors give the implication that, veterans correspond to about 10.5% of all adults among the homeless individuals’ population. This figure largely accounts for all homeless people including those found in the shelters and transitional houses. Another crucial social aspect put forth by this article is that, most of the veterans are not married; making them socially isolated and hence at a great risk of being homeless. This is a comprehensive study that seeks to provide insight into the level of homelessness for veterans. It also provides the necessary evidence to support the fact that most homeless veterans are not in the transitional programs, provided by the government thus proposing correction measures. Blue-Howells, Jessica, McGuire, Jim, and Nakashima, John. Co-location of health care services for homeless veterans: a case study of innovation in program implementation. Social Work in Health Care, 47.3(2008): 219-231. Print. The case study is based on the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Systems (VAGLAHS). The article proposes a comprehensive approach on how to improve the care of services for homeless ex-servicemen. Establishment of a same-day, co-located service of mental healthcare, in addition to support for the homeless, are some of the potential solutions emphasized upon by the authors. This article is, therefore, instrumental in determining the most effective and practical solutions aimed at helping homeless veterans. OToole, Thomas, et al. Brief Reports Health Care of Homeless Veterans Why Are Some Individuals Falling Through the Safety Net? JGIM: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18.11(2003): 929-933. Print. This article largely focuses on examining the current healthcare measures for veterans and why these services occasionally fail to help the targeted persons. The article also emphasizes the significance of identifying potential financial support sources and other supporting framework, necessary for designing or executing Housing programs for homeless veterans. The research described in this article was done in Los Angeles County. The study had extensive literature, which was examined in the effort to establish the scope of the prevalent homelessness issue in LA, and the effectiveness of a certain housing model. The study explicitly indicates that, two principal aspects have contributed to veteran homelessness and these include structural issues and personal factors. The personal factors identified are: health disorders, substance abuse, mental illness, physical disabilities, as well as, lack of social support. Examples of structural factors include: employment, poverty and housing among others. The authors found out that, Supported Housing was an effective way of reducing veteran homelessness. The proposed housing model is designed in a way that, it is likely to increase independent living and, at the same time, foster successful integration of veterans into the community especially for people with mental illness. The study is also insightful, since it shows how grants are offered to people in various areas, in order to establish transitional houses for the veterans. Goldstein, Luther. Factor Structure and Risk Factors for the Health Status of Homeless Veterans. Psychiatric Quarterly, 81.4(2010): 311-323. Print. The article primarily focuses on the prevalence of health issues among homeless veterans. Luther recognizes the existent modes of health issues’ characterization, indicating that these medical concerns fall under four principal categories, which he outlines as: Addiction psychosis Vascular disorders Generalized medical issues Psychiatric illness The article also covers morbid conditions, which are very common and usually involve a combination of medical and psychiatric disorders. The study utilizes data from the same survey of homeless veterans that was previously utilized in establishing the subgroups with cluster analysis, which examined the formation of the subgroup patterns by using factor analysis. Luther’s analysis, therefore, adopts a five factor solution namely stress, cardiac issues, psychosis, foul mood swings, and addiction. The author further computes each factor’s scores, in order to acquire an odds ratio analysis. It is this analysis that explicates the link between a high score factor and a given health issue. In conclusion, the article indicates that the health status for homeless veterans is a highly complex condition, encompassing a wide array of factors. Clearly, Luther’s article provides in depth comprehension of the wide array of health problems that homeless veterans experience. This article would, therefore, lay a foundation for formulation and execution of effective health programs to help the homeless. Gordon, Adam et al. Personal, medical, and healthcare utilization among homeless veterans served by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan veteran facilities. Psychological Services, 7.2(2010): 65-74. Print. Gordon et al.’s article extensively describes a study determining the diversity in medical care. This article also focuses on care utilization and health personal characteristics of homeless veterans who dwell in metropolitan, as well as, nonmetropolitan environments. The study utilized data obtained from a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) network, a system that collected information earlier from a sample of dispossessed veterans. The authors also utilized Chi-square tests in assessing diversity in military history, demographics, medical history, employment status, health care utilization and living situations. The moderator analysis described in the article sought to analyze whether predictors of health care use depicted any form of variation on the basis of metropolitan status. Among 3,595 respondents, 60% of the people resided in metropolitan areas. Based on the study, age, marital status and sex, were closely related in examination of nonmetropolitan and metropolitan homeless veterans. However, the metropolitan homeless veterans had a less likelihood of receiving public financial support or being employed. Additionally, they had fewer chances of experiencing and depicting medical problems, prevalent alcohol dependency or even psychiatric problems, but they have the likelihood of being homeless the longest. The study established that, out approximately 52% of the veterans, in the studied population sample, utilized VHA care. Further, 53% of them were metropolitan, while 49% were nonmetropolitan veterans. However, there were a lesser number of veterans visiting the VHA in the nonmetropolitan areas. This study is extremely imperative in determining the impact of homelessness on veterans on the basis of geographical locations. In addition, the article is instrumental in determining the actual demographics of homeless veterans, whether in urban or suburban areas. OToole, Thomas et al. Applying the chronic care model to homeless veterans: effect of a population approach to primary care on utilization and clinical outcomes. American Journal of Public Health, 100.12(2010): 2493-2499. Print. The article compares the primary care offered to the veterans, with the usual care accorded to ordinary people in society. This was achieved by conducting a study on homeless veterans’ enrolment in a primary clinic. The study showed that, 79 out of 177 patients were homeless veterans. By treating the homeless veterans regularly, it was determined that tailoring primary care in consideration of homeless veterans’ largely decreased unnecessary emergency admissions, thus improving management of chronic ailments among these disadvantaged people in society. This article is highly helpful as it attempts to show the prevailing discrepancies between medical care for veterans and ordinary people, thus forming a basis for possible change strategies. Schinka, John. Suicidal Behavior in a National Sample of Older Homeless Veterans. American Journal of Public Health, 102(2012): S147-S153. Print. The journal article by Schinka examines suicidal behaviour amongst older homeless veterans, in order to establish frequencies and predictors of current suicidal behaviour. The author uses this study to determine whether veterans with suicidal tendencies have changed owing to transitional housing. The author analyzed records of a sample of 10 veterans out of 111 participating in transitional housing. It was determined that 12% of the homeless veterans have reported suicidal ideation before admission and 3% of the homeless veterans attempted suicide in thirty days before admission into the program. The suicidal behaviour was especially rampant among the old homeless veterans who have a history of psychiatric disorder and drug abuse. Additionally, the research found out that depression was also one of the principal triggers of this behaviour, but it was established that the suicidal behaviour of older homeless veterans had minimal impact on the outcomes seen in transitional housing interventions. This paper provides crucial information that can be utilized in examining psychological problems among homeless veterans, hence avoiding extremities such as suicide. Read More