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I chose this particular special population because i've been able to witness firsthand the hardships the elderly population experiences. As medicine evolves, individuals are living longer lives, but despite medical advancements, old age can bring a variety of difficulties to daily living.

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"According to the US. Census Bureau, by 2030, all baby boomers will be older than 65, leading to about one in every five residents being retirement age" (Jones & Dolsten, 2024).

As medicine advances, we are finding that individuals are living longer than previously studied. Despite medical advancements, the elderly population requires careful care. It is vital to understand the characteristics contributing to the vulnerability of the elderly population, in order to, decrease their overall vulnerability.

Throughout this Padlet wall we will speak about the issues the elderly population faces, what makes them vulnerable, and initiatives that are being taken to help the elderly population.

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Physical Limitations

Access to Healthcare

Social Isolation

The elderly populations merits special consideration due to their extreme vulnerability. Most elderly individuals face complicated illnesses and neglect, leading to physical limitations, difficulty accessing healthcare, and social isolation.

Many times, the elderly population "falls through the cracks" of the traditional healthcare system due to the high-level of care they need.

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The elderly population experiences a high level of vulnerability due to various need-based, predisposing, and enabling characteristics. These characteristics include chronic illnesses, access to medication, health insurance, long-term care, genetics, and lifestyle choices.

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Chronic Illnesses

Chronic illnesses contribute to the vulnerability of the elderly population because of the additional and special care they require. Many older individuals suffer from more than one chronic illness, which requires special attention and care. "According to the CDC, 88% of older adults have at least one multiple chronic condition, and 60% have at least two" (Jones & Dolsten, 2024).

Access to Medication

The inability to obtain proper medication contributes to the vulnerability of the elderly population because it increases the risk of worsening the condition.

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Migrant Farmworkers X Elderly Population

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Migrant Farmworkers X Elderly Population

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Physical Limitations --> Chronic Illnesses

Migrant farmworkers who spend long hours in the sun picking crops develop physical limitations leading to chronic illnesses. For example, Agnes Barrera was a crop picking farmworker for the duration of her life, leading her to develop arthritis at 90 year old (Zeitlin, 2021). As farmworkers age, they become more vulnerable due to these physical limitations and chronic illnesses.

Healthcare Access

During the COVID-19 pandemic, elderly farmworkers were not able to receive the vaccinations they wanted in a timely fashion due to a complex registration process. The registration process included reliable internet access and the ability to navigate an online portal. (Ptaszek et al., 2021). As a result, elderly frameworks more vulnerable to receiving COVID-19 and difficulty accessing the same healthcare that wealthier elderly individuals could have access to.

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Genetic Factors

Genetic factors like race can contribute to the likelihood of developing certain chronic conditions. For example, in our text it states, “Black people are more likely to report fair or poor health status compared to White people” (Shi, 2026). Therefore, genetic factors contribute to the vulnerability of the elderly population

Lifestyle choices

Lifestyle choices, including fitness, smoking, and drug use greatly influence the human body. In fact, regularly physical activity is a protective factor against cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and dementia (Langhammer et al., 2018). Taking steps through incorporating physical activity in your daily life decreases your vulnerability as an elderly individual.

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Local Initiative

Individual-Level-Interventions

support groups, counseling, family therapy, etc. (Schultz & Eden, 2016).

Offers medical and peer support to elderly individuals.

Area Agency on Aging

Provides home delivered meals, personal care, transportation, home care, cost-effective living environments, etc.

Offers assistance to elderly with daily-living activities.

National Initiative

Expansion of Medicaid + Medicare Advantage

This expansion aims to improve eldercare coordination, improve preventive care, and reduce the cost of prescription drugs (Jones & Dolsten, 2024)

Ultimately, improving coverage decreases the individuals vulnerability by increasing access to care.

Measuring Progress + Expected Outcomes

We can measure progress over time by assessing the individuals cognitive status and analyzing elderly hospital admission and readmission. We can expect an increase in cognitive abilities and decrease in hospital readmissions.

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Health Insurance

Elderly individuals don’t always have proper insurance coverage for their medical needs. Health insurance allows for regular primary care visitations, especially for individual who experience chronic health conditions. If an elderly individual does not have insurance coverage, they will likely not receive the proper care, increasing their vulnerability.

Long-Term Care

24% of the total elderly population needs some type of long-term assistance, ranging from household tasks to personal care. (Scanlon, n.d.). Not having the proper care from loves ones or caregivers can lead to accidental falls and injuries, leading to physical limitations. The inability to do daily-living activities independently increases the elderly individuals vulnerability.

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Throughout my research on the elderly population, I learned that many elders have difficulty obtaining the proper care they need. Many elderly individuals don't have the finances or capabilities of having a family member or caregiver that can help them with everyday living activities.

With the information we learned, we can advocate for the elderly to receive the same time and attention as any individual seeking proper care.

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Jones, C. H., & Dolsten, M. (2024, April 6). Healthcare on the brink: Navigating the challenges of an aging society in the United States. npj aging.

Langhammer, B., Bergland, A., & Rydwik, E. (2018, November 22). The Importance of Physical Activity Exercise among Older People. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6304477/pdf/BMRI2018-7856823.pdf

Programs & Services. Area Agency of Aging Palm Beach. (n.d.). https://www.aaapbtc.org/programs-services

Ptaszek, E., Palazuelos and Greg Asbed, D., & Greg, A. (2021, March 28). Guest opinion: Mind the gap: It takes a community to ensure a fair vaccine roll-out. Press. https://www.news-press.com/story/opinion/2021/03/28/coroanvirus-covid-pandemic-immokalee-florida-vaccine-vaccination-ciw/7007549002/

Scanlon, W. J. (n.d.). A Perspective on Long-Term Care for the Elderly. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4195126/pdf/hcfr-88-supp-007.pdf

Schulz, R., & Eden, J. (2016, November 8). Programs and supports for family caregivers of older adults. Families Caring for an Aging America. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK396394/

Shi, L. (2026). Shi & Singh’s delivering health care in the United States: A systems approach. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Zeitlin, J. (2021, March 28). How Florida left farmworkers out of its COVID-19 pandemic response. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/03/28/covid-florida-left-farmworkers-out-pandemic-response-ron-desantis-nikki-fried/6922068002/