Group Assessment of Redlands Ca

1. Runninghead: REDLANDS, CA 1
Community Assessment Paper: Redlands, Ca
Bryan Avilez, Julianne Doran, Laura Herrera, Morgan Joyner, Jessie Wackerman,
Keli Wilkie, Ariel Williams, Lindsay Wood, Katie Jo Woodrow and Michelle York
California Baptist University
NUR 420

2. REDLANDS, CA 2
Community Assessment Paper: Redlands, Ca
Introduction
Redlands, California is a very diverse city; from the people that live in it to the different
aspects of life based on location of living. It is made up of the North and South sides which are
separated by the 10 freeway. Each side of town has sets of mountains or hills that surround the city
and give Redlands its own sense of boundaries. The North side is made of up the lower income
families, while the South side has more diversity and ‘old money’ (Herrera, Police Officer). The
city is made up of all age groups ranging from newborn to the elderly and the ratio is mainly even
across both sides of Redlands. Some of the populations identified were: the homeless population,
high school population, elderly, working class, upper class and the mentally ill. Each city has its
own risks and problems, however, when contracting interviews and gathering research the main
key factor related to health problems within the city is Obesity.
People and Demographics
Redlands is located in San Bernardino County surrounded by the cities of Loma Linda, San
Bernardino, Grand Terrace and Yucaipa. San Bernardino County helps regulate the aspects of the
government and conducts health surveillance of the people living within the city boundaries. The
population has a estimate of over 69,999 residents with the persons under the age of 5 consisting
of 6.0% of the population, persons under the age of 18 consisting of 23.7% of the population,
persons over the age of 65 consisting of 13.1% of the population, and females consisting 52.4% of
the population. The city is composed of many different races that include: 69% Caucasian, 5.2%
African American, 0.9% American Indian, 7.6% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander,
30.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 4.9% two or more races combined (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014).

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The average income for the city is approximately $65,359 annually (U.S. Census Bureau,
2014). Unemployment rates are at 9.7%, the poverty level is at 10.1% and the homeless children
per school district is at 13.5% and the number of people with disabilities within the city is 18,583
along with 40% of the homeless population have disabilities (City of Redlands Indicators of
Potential Homelessness, 2010).
People QuickFacts Redlands
Population, 2013 estimate 69,999
Population, 2010 68,747
Persons under 5 years, percent, 2010 6.0%
Persons under 18 years, percent, 2010 23.7%
Persons 65 years and over, percent, 2010 13.1%
Female persons, percent, 2010 52.4%
White alone, percent, 2010 69.0%
Black or African American alone, percent, 2010 5.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, 2010 0.9%
Asian alone, percent, 2010 7.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, 2010 0.3%
Two or More Races, percent, 2010 4.9%
Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2010 30.3%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2010 54.0%
Living in same house 1 year & over, percent, 2008-2012 84.1%
Foreign born persons, percent, 2008-2012 14.3%
Language other than English spoken at home, pct age 5+, 2008-
2012
24.8%

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High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+,
2008-2012
89.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2008-
2012
37.5%
Veterans, 2008-2012 4,629
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2008-2012 22.8
Housing units, 2010 26,634
Homeownership rate, 2008-2012 60.7%
Housing units in multi-unit structures, percent, 2008-2012 27.3%
Persons per household, 2008-2012 2.71
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2012 dollars), 2008-
2012
$32,800
Median household income, 2008-2012 $66,901
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2008-2012 11.5%
Retail sales, 2007 ($1000) 1,581,131
Retail sales per capita, 2007 $22,785
Accommodation and food services sales, 2007 ($1000) 160,503
Geography QuickFacts Redlands
Land area in square miles, 2010 36.13
Persons per square mile, 2010 1,903.0
Counties San Bernardino
County
Programs

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The community of Redlands offers many different programs to help all different
populations within the city including the high school students, elderly, homeless and the mentally
ill. The high schools have a large number of programs to help their students with grades, learning
disabilities, finance issues and special needs. The Redlands Independent Study Education Program
(RISE) is the option for students who are working full time, pregnant or have health problems to
help ensure they can pass and understand the material needed to graduate. They also supply a free
and reduced lunch program for the lower income families who cannot afford to make lunches for
their children or supply them with money to buy lunch every day. The school employees agree
that diet is a very important part of a child’s growth and development (Bonnie, Redlands East
Valley High School).
The elderly are a major focus in the community and have different places in which they
can go to have fun, get resources and escape the heat of Redlands. The Senior Center provides
transportation to the center and doctors appointments as well as classes and three meals daily. They
teach the elderly good health, health promotion and nutritional needs. All programs and activities
are age specific for the elderly and their abilities (Dave, Senior Center Manager).
Redlands is widely known for catering and helping the homeless population in any means
way necessary and possible. Different places, including the blessing center and Salvation Army,
distribute clothes and food for people in need. Some also offer medical assistance to those without
insurance or the ability to receive insurance. Dentists also come in to the blessing center to provide
the homeless with deep teeth and gum cleaning to help with their health and abilities to get jobs.
Homeless persons from all of the United States have come to Redlands because of the churches,
resources, assistance and handouts to help them (Herrera, Police Officer). The homeless population
knows the areas that are most suited towards them and which resources are available in those cities.

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Redlands is the second best place to come to for the homeless community, secondary to Arizona;
people all the way from Kentucky and places similar to come for the benefits from this city (Erroll,
Homeless Man).
There is a population of mentally ill persons within the community and they are also
provided care and resources through the city of Redlands. Many facilities are dedicated to the
mentally ill and provide board and care for them. They also have medical centers specific for
mental illness. Redlands also provides after school programs for children and family centered
programs at the YMCA. Redlands grows many of its own products and has a farmers market every
week for the city’s farmers to sell their products. Churches of many different religions are found
throughout the city, each seem to have programs within themselves to help their attendees.
However, although all these resources are available; through research and interviews it has come
to attention the difficulty trying to gain access to these resources due to lack of transportation,
money and knowledge.
Health Risks within the Community
Due to the different demographics in Redlands, there are many different health risks and
problems based on the populations within the community. The high schools tend to have high risk
of contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases, teen pregnancy and marijuana use within the
students. However the main health risks for the students, according to the health teacher and vice
principal at REV, are the growing numbers of teen pregnancy and diabetes (Bonnie, REV).
According to Bonnie, the health teacher, drugs are evident on the premises but rarely do they come
in contact with anything beside marijuana. The location of two dispensaries around the corner from
the school makes accessibility very easy to the marijuana and the kids decide to bring it on to
campus. One of the students from Redlands attended a Christmas party last year and decided to

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part take in drugs. This young woman went into cardiac arrest and is now permanently disabled
from doing so (Sandi, District Nurse). Sandi’s own nephew passed away from a drug overdose,
which has become extremely common in children from the ages of high school students to their
early twenties (Forrest, Fire Fighter). While Bonnie stated that obesity was not a major concern of
the high school population, there are programs for student with diabetes and other health concerns.
While speaking with Dave from the senior center, he explained that the main risk for the
elderly population is obesity. Most problems within the elderly community can be related back to
obesity. Cardiac problems, falls, diabetes, high blood pressure, can all derive from unresolved
obesity (Forrest, Fire Fighter).
The homeless population’s health problems include Staph, altered consciousness, bad
hygiene and drug use (Jeff, Firefighter). The risks that they possess are altered nutrition, Hepatitis
C, HIV, drug and alcohol abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and suicide (psychiatryonline). Many of the
homeless persons in Redlands stay away from drugs and alcohol in hopes of bettering their lives,
however they still explain the risks of falling into the addictions or coming in contact with someone
with HIV or other diseases.
Redlands is overall as a city trying to become healthier and promote health, however the
city is not yet compatible with walking, jogging or biking; although soon the city will have bike
lanes throughout the boundaries of Redlands. Obesity, diabetes and unhealthy eating habits are the
major health priorities in this city and many people cannot afford or do not want to change their
lifestyle of eating. Without changing their lifestyles, decreasing these health concerns will be
extremely difficult.
Strengths and Weaknesses

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Redlands possesses a variety of strengths within the community and the individuals whom
live there. The majority of the city tends to be friendly and helpful to the homeless and less
fortunate people. The city has a sense of pride and shows it around town everywhere possible.
They even include their city pride in their weekly farmers market to increase profit for locally
owned shops and farms. Every year they put on a Christmas parade that hosts many different
aspects of the community from children, pets, the elderly, programs and businesses. Redlands
provides education for local problems such as DUI information at check points, information on
the new healthy Redlands, programs for children and families, and the Community Emergency
Response Team. Redlands has a high priority of religion and the ability to express one’s own
religion and beliefs. Over all it is a very active community and the city is very well up kept.
The weaknesses of the community include the constant raising of the rent for both sides of
the community pushing the lower income families out due to the inability to afford the new rent
prices. Also, the problems with obesity are due to the rising numbers of fast food restaurants and
accessibility to cheap, unhealthy food. Patients in Redlands complain of lack of patient education
in the medical facilities and hospitals even with all the resources offered. The homeless population
states that they are looking for jobs, but no one in Redlands will hire someone who has no ability
to shower and have a steady place of residence. However, the friendly people who try to help the
homeless population are actually causing a reverse reaction, due to the increase of homeless people
coming to take advantage of the resources and help from the community. Lastly, the transportation
across the community is not up to par for most citizens. Thy state that trying to get to doctors
appointments or grocery stores can sometimes be a difficulty due to lack of busses and
transportation if someone does not own a car.
Nursing Diagnoses and Plan

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After research on the community of Redlands and the people and risk problems
within the community, the two priority nursing diagnoses would be: Risk for Diabetes among
the high school and elderly populations, and risk for drug abuse among the high school and
homeless populations. These were common concerns throughout all parts of the community
and many people agreed that Diabetes and drug abuse are a high priority in Redlands but
also that those who are not already dealing with these concerns are at a high risk of
developing these health problems.
In order to address the issue of Diabetes, the community would need to be taught
about the risks of eating unhealthy and not keeping their blood sugar within safe limits.
Many people, when askedduring interviews, know very little about diabetes evenif they have
a family history of it. The main intervention that would be needed is the knowledge about
the disease, risk factors, and ways to manage blood sugar even with low-income families.
There are many ways to teach them how to manage their diabetes, or teach them how not to
put themselves at risk to develop it.
Regarding the drug abuse within the high school population, information is still the
main priority. Many people do not understand the log term effects of drugs, even the ones
that seemharmless; also, they needto learn about the risks of drug use on not only them, but
the people around them. Drugs can cause damage to one’s physical, emotional, social, and
spiritual life. What most people do not understand is that a continuous use of drugs can kill
them, put their loved ones in danger, leave them with no money, will eventually cause an
addiction, and cause damage throughout every aspect of life. The high school population in
Redlands is at a higher risk of developing a drug addiction due to the accessibility of drugs
within the community. Not only can students bring them from home, but there are also two

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dispensaries located within a mile of the high school. According to Debbie, the health teacher
at REV, students willingly admit to getting their marijuana from the dispensaries to bring
and sell at school. So an intervention for this concern could be to petition for the city to have
the dispensaries moved or have a closer watch on them to make sure that students are not
buying drugs from them.
With the homeless population, the main priority would also be information and the
availability to education about the drugs they are using or around on a daily basis. Drugs
can be the reason some of these people are homeless or can be the reason they are unable to
hold down a job. Children are homeless, as well as adults, and the risk for them to use drugs
are just as high as an adult due to the availability to the drugs, the feeling of nothing can get
worse, the environments they are in, and the lack of knowledge about what drugs actually
effect. By addressing the problem, teaching about the problem and supplying knowledge
about the drugs and ways to stay away from the drugs at places that are common for the
homeless people to go to, could have a positive effect on the lowering of actual drug use and
possibility of drug use within the community.
Conclusion
Redlands is a beautiful community with a variety of different people and cultures
within the same boundaries. People appear to get along and want to help everyone as best as
they possibly can in a vast amount of ways. Overall this city is very community based and
has a focus on bettering the community and bringing the members of the community
together. However, under the surface, there are many problems and risks that are not being
addressed. First, the ‘old money’ is pushing out the low-income families causing more
problems for those families to make ends meet each month, have a place to live, keeptheir

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families safe and access medications or health care due to lack of money. Secondly, the drug
use within the community has been on a rise among the homeless and high school population
due to accessibility and lack of knowledge. Lastly, diabetes and obesity has also been on a
rise within the past few years, due to the accessibility of fast food and the cost of healthy food
rising.
References