Understanding Self Care
What do we mean by self care?
Self care is not the same as no care.
Outside hospitals or care homes, everyone self cares all of the time but not everyone self cares optimally.
Medical treatment and the way in which it is delivered can either support or erode the capacity to self care.
The Department of Health defines self care as being:
“. . . about individuals taking responsibility for their own health and well-being. This includes: staying fit and healthy, both physically and mentally; taking action to prevent illness and accidents; and the better use of medicines and treatment of minor ailments.”
The term self management is related specifically to living with a long term condition and has been defined as: “The individual's ability to manage the symptoms, treatment, physical and psychosocial consequences and lifestyle changes inherent in living with a long term disorder.”
Source: “Promoting Optimal Self Care” 2005, Department of Health, NHS Report
The Core Principles of Self Care
An understanding of the principles of self care is vital for everyone involved in supporting people with long term conditions.
The Department of Health defines self care as being:
“. . . about individuals taking responsibility for their own health and well-being. This includes: staying fit and healthy, both physically and mentally; taking action to prevent illness and accidents; and the better use of medicines and treatment of minor ailments.”
