Community Nursing assignment

Demographic

Community Level

State Level

National Level

Race/Ethnicity

Age

Sex

Education level

Religion

Income

Poverty status

Occupation types/

Unemployment rate

Number of births

Births to unmarried/

women in poverty

Boundaries – Identify the boundaries of the community

What are the signs of where this area begins & ends?

Does this area have a name? Is it displayed?

Landmarks

Physical – Highways, railroad tracks, etc. that mark the boundaries

Natural – Bodies of water, hills, or mountains

Economic - Residential or commercial areas

History

What can you learn about the community by looking around?

Is this an established neighborhood, new sub-division, apartment building, etc.?

Have houses been repurposed as businesses?

Are there any historical markers in the community? What do they say?

Are the trees and other plantings mature?

Demographics

What kind of people do you see: the old, homeless, families, loners, etc.?

Race

What races do you see?

Is the population homogeneous or integrated?

Ethnicity

Do you see indicators of more than one ethnicity?

Restaurants, churches, private schools, festivals, etc.?

Are there signs in a language other than English?

Values & Beliefs

Are there churches, temples, mosques?

What denominations are the churches?

Are the lawns cared for, is there landscaping?

What are the signs of culture or history seen?

How do you feel in the community - welcomed? Concerned?

Summarize the community’s disaster preparedness plan.

Is it simple? Clear? Realistic? Flexible? Easy to implement regardless of the nature and extent of the disaster or who must implement the plan? Consider all types of community hazards and disaster possibilities for your local community.

When was the community’s disaster plan last updated? If there is no evidence that it has been updated recently (or at all), note this fact.

Is there evidence that the community has tested the disaster plan (disaster drills, equipment checks, etc.)? If there is no evidence that it has been updated recently (or at all), note this fact.

Is the community’s disaster plan easily accessed via website or community communication channels (community television station, community newsletter, etc.)? Discuss the ease or difficulty you had in locating your community’s disaster preparedness plan.

Are all 4 stages of the community’s disaster response found in the disaster preparedness plan? Discuss each stage if found; if each stage is not found, note this fact.

· Preparedness

· Response

· Recovery

· Mitigation

Day Care and/or Pre-school

Are there any day care and/or pre-school agencies in your community? If so, how many? How much do they charge for a month of care and/or school? At what age can children begin attending day care and/or pre-school?

Does the day care/pre-school offer transportation to/from primary school?

Are there recreational facilities at the day care/pre-school?

Primary Schools

Are there schools in the area?

How do the schools look?

Are the schools in one building or are portable classrooms (trailers) seen?

What are the nearest elementary/middle/high schools?

Are there children of school-age visible in the neighborhood during the day?

Do the schools have a website that is available to parents?

If the school has a website, does it display school policies, such as absenteeism, bullying, tardiness, illness, etc.?

Higher Education

Are community colleges or universities in the community?

Are there students walking around on campus?

Are the community colleges or universities well laid out and their borders specifically defined?

Adult Education

Does the community offer any adult education courses? If so, how do adults learn about these courses? Are they offered online, on campus, or both?

Are there advertisements for adult courses posted anywhere? (Grocery stores, library, community newsletter, churches, etc.)

If courses are offered, what are some of the topics? Are they educational (e.g., history, English, English as a Second Language, foreign language, computer skills), hobby (e.g., photography, art, knitting, etc.), or life skills (e.g., budgeting, finances, computer, cooking, etc.).

Libraries

Are there public libraries in the community?

Are the public library parking lots empty or full?

Does the public library provide free computer access for patrons? If there are computers available to patrons, are there restrictions on usage, such as time limitations?

General

Is there evidence of acute or chronic health conditions such as drug addiction, alcoholism, mental illness, accidents?

Are there homeless or abuse shelters?

How close are houses or housing complexes to major roadways?

Health Care

What types of clinics, hospitals, doctor offices, etc. are there?

How far is it to the nearest hospital or urgent care clinic?

What types of emergency care are available in the community? (Free-standing emergency departments, urgent/immediate care facilities, EMS/Fire/Rescue departments, etc.)

Are there any specialty clinics in the community?

Is the public health department located in the community? If yes, what hours are they open? If not, how far is it to the nearest health department?

No matter where the public health department is located, what services does this agency provide to the community?

How many pediatrician offices do you see?

How many extended- and continuing-care facilities do you see? (Long-term care facilities, adult assisted living facilities, adult day care facilities, etc.)

Identify whether health services are extracommunity or intracommunity resources.

Social Services

What types of social service facilities are available in the community? (Public assistance office, counseling & support, clothing, food, shelter, etc.). If there are none, how far to the nearest social services office?

How many private counseling services do you see?

Are there any clothing donation bins located in the community? If so, which agency benefits from the collection of clothing?

Are there any “stores” that accept donations of items (clothing, housewares, furniture, etc.) in the community? If there are, who benefits from the sale of these items?

Are there any alcohol or drug abuse services offered in the community? If not, where are the nearest services located?

Who can community residents call in case of a mental health crisis? Is there a crisis hot line service available? How is it advertised to the community? If not, how are mental health emergencies handled in your community?

Healthy Habits

Where can community members buy fresh produce or healthy food?

Are there sidewalks along major roadways in the community? Are there crosswalks in usy pedestrian areas?

Are there areas for exercising (bike trails, hiking trails, outdoor exercise equipment, etc.)?

General

Are there common areas where people gather?

Neighborhood hangouts, school yards, stores, parks, etc.?

Are there places to pick up local community newsletters or circulars? Are they free to the public?

Are there places to buy local and national newspapers?

What media outlets are available to the area?

General

Is it a thriving community or a struggling community? What evidence supports this observation?

Do you see trash or abandoned cars and houses?

Available resources and industries

Are there shopping centers or neighborhood stores?

Are there grocery stores within walking distance? If not, how far away?

Are there a lot of real estate signs?

Are there industries and places for employment?

General

How does the community look?

Is it a newer community or an older established community?

Are there sidewalks connecting commercial areas to residential areas?

Housing & Zoning

What is the estimated age and architecture of the houses and buildings?

What types of construction materials are used in the buildings? Condition of houses? Detached or attached garages?

Open Space

Is there space around the houses?

How is it used?

Is the area residential or commercial? Public or private?

Are there empty lots or lawns? Are the empty lots overgrown or well maintained?

People

Who do the see outside within the community? Children, housewives, mothers with their babies?

Do see people that you wouldn't expect, such as teenagers or school-aged children during the day?

Are there salesmen or other professionals walking or driving in the community?

What types of animals are seen?

General

Are there signs of political activity, such as election signs or billboards?

Any posters relating to civic meetings, town or city hall meetings?

Any zoning notices?

Is City Hall or the governmental center readily accessible?

General

Where do children play?

Where do adults play?

What facilities for recreation do the see? Ball fields, parks, pools?

Are outdoor facilities, such as ball fields, parks, pools, in good condition?

Who is using the facilities?

General

Are there sidewalks & bike trails for people to travel safely?

Are road signs visible?

Are streetlights on at night over highly travelled roads or sidewalks?

What types of protective services are available; fire, police, ambulance?

Are protective services visible in the community?

Do you feel safe in the community?

General

How do people get around?

What type of private & public transportation is available?

Do you see people walking or riding bikes?

Are there buses? Is public transportation accessible and how frequently is it available?

Do buses have the ability to carry bicycles?

Is there a major highway nearby?

Can people with disabilities get around easily?