What to do if people have difficulties with self care
Helping people manage their self care more easily can make a big difference to a person’s quality of life. For example, people can:
- Spend less time on self care
- Be more independent
- Participate in school, work and community life.
Always remember to talk to people about how they manage their self care. Together you may be able to work out solutions that can change a person’s life!
A person who is having difficulty with self care may benefit from some of the assistive products introduced in this module.
Remember that to provide assistive products, always follow the four steps (select, fit, use, follow up).
More information about some self care assistive products, and how to carry out the four steps, is covered in TAP product modules.
For other products, see if there is a service in your area that you can refer the person to.
To make self care easier for someone, assistive products may be only part of the solution.
Question
Check below each of the ways self care can be made easier.
All three of the above ways may be needed to make self care easier for someone.
Depending on your role and the service you provide, you may be able to assist people to adapt their environment or change the way self care is done.
You may also be able to refer people to another service, such as a rehabilitation service, for more help.
Discussion
What resources or services are there in your area that can:
- Provide self care assistive products not covered in TAP (for example pressure relief cushions and mattresses, modified cutlery)?
- Assist people with adapting their home environment (for example putting in a ramp, adding a grab rail, making water and washing facilities more accessible)?
- Assist people to learn different ways of doing their self care?
You have now completed Lesson three!
If you have any questions or comments, post them on the discussion forum.