Chapter 4 - Health, Wellness, Illness, and Disability Flashcards
Health and Wellness
Health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO)
In recent years the definition also includes the ability to lead a “socially and economically productive life”
Holism is a concept that considers the whole person.
> The whole person has physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual parts.
> These parts are woven together and cannot be separated.
> Disability and illness affect the whole person.
Dimensions of Health
- Physical health
- Emotional health
- Social health
- Spiritual health
- Cognitive health
Physical Health (Dimensions of Health)
- Influenced by genetics and lifestyle
- Achieved when the body is strong, fit, and free of disease
Emotional health
- When people feel good about themselves
- Have strong self-esteem, self-control, and self awareness
- Accept help and give help to others
- Emotions will vary throughout one’s life
Social health
- Achieved through stable and satisfying relationships
- Approach others with respect, warmth, openness, and trust
- Most people need and have a social support system
- Support Workers may be key members of the support system
Spiritual health
- Believing in a purpose greater than the self
- May involve being a member of a formal religion
- Respecting the expression of other people’s spirituality
Cognitive health
- Keeping the mind active and creative
- Promoting your client’s health by encouraging them to take part in activities
Wellness
Achievement of the best health possible in all five dimensions:
> Physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions
Personal Factors That Influence Health
- Personal lifestyle choices
- Stress
- Personal beliefs about health care
- Social relationships and belonging
- Sense of control
Determinants of Health
- Income and social status
- Social support networks
- Education and literacy
- Employment and working conditions
- Social supports
- Physical environments
- Personal health practices and coping skills
- Healthy child development
- Biology and genetic endowment
- Health services
- Gender
- Culture
Dignity and Respect
- Follow these rules to address the person with dignity and respect:
> Call patients and residents by their titles.
> Do not call patients and residents by their first names, unless they ask you to.
> Do not call patients and residents by any other name, unless they ask you to.
> Do not call patients and residents Grandma, Papa, Sweetheart, Honey, or other names.
Holistic Approach
- Caring for the mind, body, and soul
- Look at the whole person – not just where the pain is
- Each part relates to and depends on the other
- Physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual parts
Illness and Disability
- Distinction between illness and disability
> Illness is the loss of physical or mental health
> Disability is the loss of physical or mental function - Distinction between acute and persistent illness
> Acute includes illnesses and disabilities that last for a relatively short period of time
> Persistent (chronic illness) is an ongoing illness or a disability, slow or gradual in onset, that may or may not grow worse over time
Supporting Clients With Illness and Disability
- Usually affects all aspects of a person’s life
- No two clients will experience illness and disability in the same way
- Many factors affect the way a clients experience of illness and disability
Change and Loss Associated With Illness and Disability
- Change in routine
- Change in work life
- Change in family life
- Change in sexual function
- Loss of independence
- Loss of dignity
- Change in self-image
