SELF-CARE BEHAVIORS

Self-Care Behaviors



Self-Care Behaviors

Introduction

The use of self-care education programs also addresses societal concerns about the cost of older adults' health and the effect on the economy (Dean, 2006). Another goal, then, is the reduction of unnecessary or avoidable health care costs. As 78 million baby boomers enter their 50s, it is increasingly important to our society that older adults make healthy lifestyle choices to fend off frailty and diseases associated with aging. Much of the future impact we will see on formal health care services will depend on older adults' lifestyle choices and adequate performance of self-care.

1) Do The Experimental And Control Groups Differ Over Time On Self-Care Behaviors, Symptom Control Adherence To Medication, Engagement With Health Care Provider And Quality Of Life?

Experimental and control groups differ over time on self-care behaviors, symptom control adherence to medication, engagement with health care provider and quality of life in a number of ways. First of all let me mention that self-care behavior, a key concept in health promotion, refers to decisions and actions that an individual can take to cope with a health problem or to improve his or her health. Examples of self-care behaviors include seeking information (e.g., reading books or pamphlets, searching the Internet, attending classes, joining a self-help group); exercising; seeing a doctor on a regular basis; getting more rest; lifestyle changes; following low fat diets; monitoring vital signs; and seeking advice through lay and alternative care networks, evaluating this information, and making decisions to act or even to do nothing (Dean, 2006). Self-care is generally viewed as a complement to professional health care for persons with chronic health conditions. Self-care behavior is, however, broader than just following a doctor's advice. It also encompasses an individual's learning from things that have worked in the past.

According to the experimental model presumed benefits of self-care include lower costs for the health care system; more effective working relationships between patients and physicians and other health care providers; increased patient satisfaction; and improved perceptions of one's health condition. Self-help behaviors have been shown to lessen pain and depression and to improve quality of life. However, a relationship between self-care behaviors and positive physiological outcomes has not been proven. Generally, health care practitioners encourage and support patients to practice self-care behaviors because patients then actively participate in their own care. However, many practitioners experience difficulty in offering advice on self-care behaviors because they are not aware of specific techniques, strategies, and supports that patients can use.

Within a health promotion context that views health as a resource for daily living, self-care is seen as empowering. Through acquisition of self-care skills, people are able to participate more actively in fostering their own health and in shaping conditions that influence their own health. Self-care now is concerned with development and use of personal health practices and coping skills, making decisions involving consulting others (including lay persons and professionals), and using one's own resources to manage health problems (Weinstein, 2003).

Several health care disciplines have achieved consensus on what ...