Anyone with a long term medical condition will appreciate the importance of self care.
For many chronic conditions, medication is just one part of the solution and in National Self Care Week, the Island NHS are hoping to raise awareness of this.
We’re told that a whopping 45,000 people on the Island live with a ‘long term health condition’. It’s unfortunate that long term health conditions generally don’t have a cure and require years of medical treatment, affecting both quality of life and the ability to carry out simple daily functions.
What is self care?
Self care enables you to take control of your condition and get your life back.
You might not be able to do the things you could before you got ill, but you can concentrate on the things that you can do, such as looking at your diet, ensuring you get the right type of exercise for your condition or getting help to ensure you approach your condition with a positive mental attitude.
The power of the brain is mighty, especially in long term chronic illnesses.
Between 10am and 3pm today, Islanders affected by long term medical conditions are invited to the Conference Room at St Mary’s Hospital to find out more about how they can help themselves.
Heather Rowell, the Island’s NHS Health Promotion Specialist for Adults and Older People said: “Self Care is part of daily life and is all about individuals taking responsibility for their own health and well being, with support from people involved in their care. People can benefit enormously from being supported to self care. They can live longer, suffer less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, have a better quality of life, and be more active and independent.”
What you can do
The Island NHS offer an number of initiatives to help those living with long term illnesses to get back on track and take control of their lives.
Here’s a selection of the help on offer
Information Prescriptions
Information Prescriptions is available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk and the IW Council ‘One Link’ site at www.iwight.com An Information Prescription can be generated by professionals and members of the public to include information on a number of conditions, treatments available, local services and support groups, and other information to help manage the condition.
Pharmacist
Your local pharmacist can give you help and advice about your health and wellbeing, particularly if you have a long term condition.
Health Trainers
A Health Trainer is someone in your local area who can offer practical ideas, support and information to anyone wishing to improve their health and wellbeing. It is a free, confidential and locally accessible service. For more information contact the Isle of Wight NHS Public Health Team on 814280.
Training Courses
The Expert Patient Programme is a free, confidential course for people with long-term health problems such as Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma. It encourages people to play a more active part in managing their own condition and take control of their illness to improve their quality of life. It also gives people the opportunity to learn new skills and discuss the issues that bother them most about their health in a relaxed and friendly environment. The courses are held locally and are tailored to the needs of the people who attend. The next programme is due to start in January 2010. For participants to enrol or for more information Freephone 0800 988 5520.
Talking to others
Local support groups, networks and helplines are available to everyone, whatever their condition. Support groups help people to share their experiences with others in similar positions and help them feel less alone. You can find out about these groups by looking on the ‘One Link’ website, or asking your health care professional.
