HEALTH, WELLNESS, ILLNESS & DISABILITY

HEALTH & WELLNESS What is your definition of health? Past definitions of health focused on “not being sick” Modern definitions of health emphasize holism. WHO (World Health Organization) states that “Health is a

state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

How do you define “wellness”? Wellness is achieving the best health possible in all 5

dimensions of one’s life Few people ever achieve total wellness Wellness is an ongoing process throughout life

HEALTH What is optimal health? As a health care worker, you care for and support the client’s

health potential. This means proving “holistic” care. Holistic care is caring for and supporting all aspects of health,

including:1. Physical2. Emotional3. Social4. Spiritual5. Intellectual

In health care, we have to care for all aspects, not just the physical illness b/c each aspect depends on the other.

DIMENSIONS OF HEALTHPHYSICAL HEALTH Body is strong, fit and disease free Influenced by genetics and lifestyle Contributing factors include:

Nutritious diet Exercise Being smoke free Limiting alcohol Proper rest

As a health care worker you can promote your client’s physical health by: Maintaining a safe, clean and comfortable environment Preparing nutritious meals Assisting with physical activity

DIMENSIONS OF HEALTHEMOTIONAL HEALTH Not just the absence of negative feelings Ability to function well and adapt appropriately to

circumstances. Emotionally healthy people feel good about

themselves, have self esteem, self control, and self awareness.

Emotionally unhealthy people are often insecure. Life events can affect emotional health As a health care worker you must:

Avoid judging Learn to read client’s emotions

DIMENSIONS OF HEALTHSOCIAL HEALTH Achieved through stable and satisfying relationships. We all have the need for:

Companionship/belonging Comfort, support, encouragement Reassurance of one’s self worth Help, guidance, advice A social support system

Socially healthy people treat other with respect, warmth, openness and are trusting.

Socially unhealthy people show little regard for others. Older adults and immigrants may feel socially isolated and lonely As a health care worker you are part of your client’s support system. You provide practical and emotional support

DIMENSIONS OF HEALTHSPIRITUAL HEALTH Achieved through the belief in a higher purpose. May or may not include religion Spiritually healthy means having a clear

understanding of one’s own morals, values and beliefs.

Spiritually healthy people are compassionate, honest, humble and forgiving.

Emphasis on personal fulfillment As a health care worker, you must respect your

client’s spirituality

DIMENSIONS OF HEALTHINTELLECTUAL HEALTH Achieved by keeping the mind active and creative throughout

life. Intellectually healthy people:

Maintain curiosity throughout life Are interested in the world around them Analyze, reason and solve problems Open minded and eager to learn

Those with poor intellectual health: Are passive Do not participate Often suffer from poor emotional, social and physical health

As a health care worker, you can help client’s to participate in activities

ILLNESS & DISABILITYWhat is the difference between illness and disability? Illness – loss of physical or mental health Disability – loss of physical or mental function

Remember disabled does not mean ill Illness of disabilities can be acute or chronic (short or long

term/permanent) Regardless of the illness or disability, the health care worker

must try to help the client achieve their optimal health No 2 clients will experience illness/disability the same way,

however, there are some common reactions Fear and anxiety * Denial Sadness and grief * Anger Depression

ILLNESS & DISABILITYFactors affecting a client’s experience may include: The nature of the illness Age Physical fitness Pain Prognosis Personality Culture Support

ILLNESS & DISABILITYThose will a new disability or illness may experience change and loss

including: Change in routine Change in work life Change in family life Change in sexual function Change in self-image Loss of independence Loss of dignity

As a health care worker you must ensure that stigma and discrimination do not affect your care

Stigma – a characteristic that marks someone as different or flawed Discrimination – treating people unfairly based on their group

membership

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH What makes a population healthy?

Determinants of health are the factors that determine health status. There are 12 key factors

1. Income and social status2. Social support networks3. Education and literacy4. Employment and working conditions5. Social Supports6. Physical environments7. Personal health practices and coping skills8. Healthy child development9. Biology and genetic endowment10. Health Services11. Gender12. Culture

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH1. INCOME & SOCIAL STATUS

Income determines living conditions & diet

2. SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS Support from family, friends, community improves health

3. EDUCATION & LITERACY Health improves with higher education Improves socioeconomic status Improves the ability to access health information

4. EMPLOYMENT & WORKING CONDITIONS Unemployment, stressful and unsafe work are associated with poor

health A less stressful/demanding job improves quality and length of life

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH5. SOCIAL SUPPORTS

Resources that are available for support

6. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS Pollution in the air, water, soil can cause several adverse health effects.

7. PERSONAL HEALTH PRACTICES/COPING SKILLS Individual choices influence other health factors Choices are affected by work, live, learn, play

8. HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT Greatly influenced by housing, community, family income, parents

education, diet, exercise, genetics and access to health care

9. BIOLOGY & GENETIC ENDOWMENT Can predispose people to particular diseases.

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH10. HEALTH SERVICES

Services designed to maintain and promote health, prevent disease and restore health have an impact on one’s health.

11. GENDER Many health issues are gender related

12. CULTURE Lack of access due to culture Culture affects health

The interrelationship of these factors is very important. Why?