Health care for the homeless: a self-care approach

Homelessness has become a problem of national concern. Providing accessible, effective health care to this population in the face of today's economic climate is a problem facing community health clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) with increasing frequency. Homeless health care currently places an enormous financial burden on inner city hospitals. In addition lack of access to health care and the very nature of the homeless lifestyle makes this population a reservoir for the propagation and spread of infectious disease. The community health CNS must address these problems by developing strategies to improve homeless health care. Utilizing Orem's model of self-care provides a systematic approach to problem solving and provides the CNS with a perspective from which to assess patient problems and devise nursing care strategies. Homeless health care from Orem's self-care perspective would increase utilization of services by fostering dignity and self-esteem, as well as promote more efficient use of services.