EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES
Empowerment is a concept that has recently emerged in the health scene. It
embraces the idea that everyone has the right to make their own choices about
their health care. The empowerment model is based on the assumption that to be
truly healthy, people must bring about changes not only in their personal
behavior but also in their social situations and in the environment that
influences their lives. This empowerment model has evolved out of the
realization that patients/person cannot be forced to follow a lifestyle
dictated by others
Thousands of other health citizens throughout
the world, who clustered into six group based on similar attitudes, behaviors,
and demographics. The six segments are:
Health Actionists, the most highly health-engaged group who not
only pay attention to their own health, but are health-influencers over other
people in their lives
Health Traditionalists, who engage with the health system in Old
School ways
Health On-Demanders, who quickly engage with health care when
they’re diagnosed
Health Disempowereds, who have chronic conditions but are confused
by much of the health information they confront and generally stressed
Health Neophytes, who tend to be younger and uninvolved with the
health system
Health Apathetics, who are the least likely to take care of
themselves and share opinions about health with others.
HIGHLIGHTS OF
EMPOWERMENT OF A PERSON:
— Health, as Attitude, can be defined as being
successful in coping with pain, sickness, and death as a Normal Vicissitude of
Life. And, successful coping requires
always being in control of your life.
— Health belongs to the individual. And, the
individual has the prime responsibility for their own health.
— The individual's capacity for growth and
self-determination is paramount.
— Health care professionals cannot empower people;
only people can empower themselves.
WAYS
TO EMPOWER THE PEOPLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES:
1. Decision making:
— The
presumption of mental capacity of a person/people
— Individuals
being supported to make their own decisions
2. Education
— Client
centered approach
— Peer
education/Family Education
— Mass
education
3. Counseling
4. Support them with adequate health care
facilities and care
5. Increase the accessibility of the
health settings
ROLE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE:
·
Advisor
·
Guidance
and counselling
·
Nurse
administrator/supervisor
·
Communicator/collaborator.
·
Care
provider
·
Case
manager
·
Educator
COMMENTS