Care: health and wellness

health definitions

• A state of being that people define in relation to their own values, personality and lifestyle

• World Health Organization - “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

• Creighton University CON (2002) - “Health is a dynamic multidimensional state which implies interaction with the environment.”

wellness definition

An active state, oriented toward maximizing the potential of the individual, regardless of his or her state of health

what does wellness involve

functioning to one’s maximum potential while maintaining balance and a purposeful direction

illness defintion

A state in which a person’s physical, emotional, intellectual, social, developmental, or spiritual functioning is diminished or impaired compared with previous experience

illness is the

unique response of a person to a disease

health status

a description of health that can be measured

what can health status be measured by

• birth rates

• death rates

• life expectancy

• quality of life

• morbidity from specific diseases

• risk factors and other factors

Health and Illness Models

Theoretical way of understanding a concept

what do Health and Illness Models provide

various ways of approaching complex concepts such as health,

wellness & illness

what are Health and Illness Models used for

to understand the relationship between these concepts and the client’s attitudes toward health and health practices/behaviours

and to understand and predict clients health behaviors

Health and Illness Models examples

Health Belief Model

Health Promotion Model

Basic Human Needs Model

Holistic Health Model

Health Belief Model

• Individual Perception of Health

• Susceptibility of illness

• Seriousness of illness

• Health behavior

Health behavior defintion

Preventative action is a result from perceived benefits minus the barriers to taking action

Health Promotion Model

• Defines health as a positive, dynamic state, not merely the absence of disease.

• Describes the multidimensional nature of persons

• Individual Characteristics/Experiences

• Behavior-Specific Cognitions/Affect

• Behavior Outcome

Basic Human Needs Model

• Utilizes Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• Recognizes that physiological needs must be met before other needs

• Helps nurses to focus care

• Understand the relationships of different needs

• Factors determining a client’s priorities

Holistic Models of Health

• Greater emphasis on emotional and spiritual well-being

• Attempts to create conditions that promote optimal health

• Client is the ultimate expert regarding his/her own health

• Clients more involved in healing process

• Clients have more responsibility for health maintenance

Influences on Beliefs & Behaviors: internal variables

• Perception of functioning

• Developmental stage

• Intellectual background

• Emotional factors

• Spiritual factors

Influences on Beliefs & Behaviors: external variables

• Family/cultural influences

• Psychosocial

• Socioeconomics

primary level of prevention

• Precedes disease

• Promote wellness & prevent illness

• Wellness education & action

secondary level of prevention

• Experiencing health problems

• Focus on early diagnosis & intervention

tertiary level of prevention

• Irreversible disease/health problem

• Prevent complication or further deterioration

• Highest functionality/quality of life

quaternary level of prevention

• Protect from excessive medical intervention

• No risk factors and No symptoms may not benefit from treatment.

Transtheoretical Model: Health Behavior Change

• Complex model

• Stages of change

• Perceptions

• Behaviors used to change

• Views change as a result of someone moving through a series of 6 stages

Nursing in Health Promotion

• Optimizing health

• Self – awareness of own attitude/behaviors

• Partnering with the patient

• Encouraging patient self-responsibility

• Recognition of family and community

• Ability to assess risks

• Knowledge of readiness for change

• Knowledge of disease prevention

Eliciting Health and Illness Beliefs: Transtheoretical model of change

• What occurred when the problem started?

• What do you think caused your problem?

• How long do you think it will last?

• What have you done about your problem?

• With whom did you discuss your problem?

• What kind of help and from whom would you like to receive help for your problem?

• How will you know when your problem is getting better?

Healthy People 2030

• On the 4th decade of work where foundation is health promotion and disease prevention objectives that aim at improving the health of all Americans.

• Is grounded in science, guided by public input, and designed to measure progress.

• Seeks to improve health outcomes through prevention strategies that address

“ecological contexts” and determinants of health.

Healthy People 2030 overarching goals

• Attain healthy, thriving lives and well-being, free of preventable disease, disability, injury and premature death.

• Eliminate health disparities, achieve health equity, and attain health literacy to improve the health and well-being of all.

• Create social, physical, and economic environments that promote attaining full potential for health and well-being for all.

• Promote healthy development, healthy behaviors and well-being across all life stages.

• Engage leadership, key constituents, and the public across multiple sectors to take action and design policies that improve the health and well-being of all.