Problem Identification
Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that cannot be detected in its early stages. Its slow development and fast worsening make people unable to treat it properly or get prepared. People usually suffer from disorientation, loss of memory, details confusion, and mood changes. It is hard to introduce certain criteria for this disease. Therefore, each community has to prepare its people for this health problem and create appropriate conditions for treating people. In this paper, the action plan for Pinecrest, a Florida community, will be developed. The needs assessment of the community helps to choose appropriate steps.
Community Background
Community Overview
Pinecrest is a suburban village in Miami, Florida. It was officially incorporated on March 12, 1996, with Evelyn Greer, as its first official mayor (“Village of Pinecrest: Our village”, n.d.). However, the history of the community began in the early 1900s when a railroad tycoon used its territory for the construction of the Overseas Railroad (“Village of Pinecrest: History”, n.d.). With time, many ranches were built on the land. In the 1990s, a rapid growth occurred on the territory and turned it in one of Miami’s significant communities.
Physical Environmental Considerations
Pinecrest is located in the southwest of Miami, close to Biscayne Bay. Its detail coordinates are 2503942 (latitude) and -8001827 (longitude) (“RoadsideThoughts”, 2017). It borders with Kendall (west), Glevnar Heights (north-west), Coral Gables (north-east), and Palmetto Bay (south). Pinecrest’s total area is 7.44 square miles (“RoadsideThoughts”, 2017). The climate is tropical with 247 sunny days (“Sperling’s best places”, 2017).
The environmental sensitivity is proved by regular governmental and municipal activities and mutual intentions to decrease the level of impact of pollutants, global warming issues, and other threats for its citizens (“Village of Pinecrest: Green initiatives”, n.d). The environmental improvements occur at the state level. The Florida Department of Health regulates the activities connected with sewage treatment. Garbage and trash issues are discussed at the municipal level. The majority of homes depend on groundwater and the development of private well systems. Still, the Florida Department of Health develops its activities and controls the environmental aspects by conducting tests in different areas and recognizing possible pollutants, toxic substances, air quality, and food supply. Flood is a potential disaster for Pinecrest. The Department of Public Works and the Compact (the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact) coordinate and prevent disasters and protect its people.
There are about 6,619 private and public housing units (“Census”, 2017). The median value of such units is $784,700. The condition of housing is higher than medium because people take care of their places for living. 80% of houses are owned by the citizens, and only 20% are still rented. Not much information about homeless and near-homeless populations is available because the community fights against this social problem and uses the sources of the Miami Rescue Mission to serve homeless and needy people.
People have numerous opportunities to earn money and develop their professional skills. The main occupational industries of the community are building, manufacturing, and social services.
The People of the Community
The total population of Pinecrest for 2015 estimates 19,452 (“Census”, 2017). It includes about 2577 people per one square mile. In comparison to other communities of Miami, Pinecrest is characterized by the smallest density. During the last ten years, the changes of population are not considerable. Still, its increase (up to 5%) cannot be neglected (“Census”, 2017). No significant population mobility is observed in Pinecrest. It means that people are satisfied with the conditions and opportunities they have at the moment.
The marriage level of the community is impressive indeed: more than 60% of people are married, 29% of the citizens have never been married, 6% of people are divorced, and 5% are widowed. As a rule, traditional families live in Pinecrest. Still, 14% of families have one parent only.
Census (2017) offers main demographic characteristics for 2010: 4.3% of people are under 5 years, 27.3% – under 18 years, and 12% – under 65 years. 52% of females and 48% of males live in Pinecrest. White people introduce about 80% of the population with 25% of Hispanic people. 1.1% of African Americans live in Pinecrest. Asians comprise about 7.3%. There are no special requirements for racial groups’ distributions.
Birth rate during the last 12 months is 3%, and exact death rates remain to be unknown. Still, the deaths are usually divided in regards to age: no infant mortality rate is observed, and people under 65 years die because of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer disease. Cancer is the leading disease among the prevalence rate, and heart disease and stroke are the leading health problems in the incident rates.
The psychological considerations of the citizens of Pinecrest are connected with the historical and economic aspects of human life. Many veterans suffer from past psychological traumas and the inabilities to earn for living. From one to ten veterans commit suicide every day. The Florida Department of Veteran Affairs takes care of the veterans. Still, the help of this department is not usually enough. Many veterans cannot find jobs, and unemployment turns out to be the main source of stress. Single parents cannot solve their problems as well and become another specific subgroup within Pinecrest population.
Health problems may also depend on socio-cultural considerations. For example, the median household income per family is $128,966 (“Census”, 2017). People may work such money working in police, schools, and social services. 75% of people lives due to the wages they get. 8% gets benefits from self-employment. Investments and retirement help 14% of people to survive in Pinecrest. Finally, social security covers the expenses of 3% of the population. However, the unemployment rate is about 5%, and it makes more than 6% of people live in poverty. Households with retirement income are about 12% (“Census”, 2017).
Education and other social factors play an important role. For example, about 95% of people 25+ years have their high school or higher graduations. They usually speak English (58%). Still, such languages as Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, and Arabic are used by other 42% of the citizens.
Approximately 41% of all people, who live in Pinecrest, are religious. Catholics prevail. Still, there are several groups, who support LDS, Islam, Jewish, and another Christian faith.
To gather the community, the citizens of Pinecrest choose a mayor every four years. Today, Joseph Corradino performs the functions of a mayor. There are Village Council on Pinescrest Parkway and Village Clerk’s Office to address from Monday to Friday from 8am till 4.30pm. However, people may write their letters and send them via e-mail 24/7.
There are also several public and private educational facilities including high, elementary, and preparatory schools, child care centers, academies, and special clubs. Pinecrest Branch Library is for educational purposes, and Pinecrest Supports and Services Center is for public purposes and needs of disabled people.
Transportation is developed by Metrobus that is spread throughout the whole area. People also use car and bicycles to reach their destination points.
There are no evident behavioral problems because people have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other products that promote healthy nutrition. The residents of Pinecrest pay much attention to their leisure time and the solution of their health-related problems. There is a swim camp in Pinecrest and a number of fitness centers.
Finally, the community focuses on the development of healthcare services in such organizations as RiteCare Urgent Care Medical Center, Baptist Health Urgent Care, and Concentra Urgent Care. 91% of people have health insurance: 18% – public insurance and 82% – private insurance. About 8-9% of people are uninsured. Medicare is used by 17% of people, and employer-based insurance is offered to 60% of working people. Though much attention is paid to urgent care, the population is in need of medical research on such diseases as cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease. New sponsors and experts in chronic illness development are required in the region.
Plan of Action
Regarding the needs of the community, the following steps could be taken to start solving the concerns of Alzheimer’s in Pinecrest:
- To improve public awareness through several public education programs;
- To provide people with free blood tests to check themselves for Alzheimer;
- To establish several clearing houses;
- To coordinate patients and their families in treatment;
- To teach nurses how to treat people with Alzheimer’s;
- To continue researching the neurological field.
In general, all these steps will help Pinecrest citizens to get ready for possible Alzheimer’s cases and choose effective solutions.
References
Census: Quick Facts: Pinecrest village, Florida. (2017).
RoadsideThoughts: Pinecrest, Florida. (2017).
Sperling’s best places: Pinecrest, Florida. (2017).
Village of Pinecrest: Green initiatives. (n.d.). Web.
Village of Pinecrest: History.(n.d.). Web.
Village of Pinecrest: Our village. (n.d.). Web.