Better Lives with Care.Wallet: Self-Care

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “self-care”? A recent Harris Poll reported that 44 percent of patients believe self-care is only possible for people with “enough” time, and 35 percent believe self-care is only possible for those with “enough” money.

Most of us already know how we should take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health every day. But did you know self-care can also improve health on a global scale? With the increase of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, and chronic lung diseases, self-care can play a vital role in preventing and reducing underlying risk factors, optimizing treatment, and managing complications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider”. Self-care can include providing or promoting support groups, mindfulness and relaxation therapy, exercise, and healthy eating.

Healthcare systems can use self-care as an important tool to reduce costs and expenditures while improving access to care and patient outcomes. Patients with chronic or terminal diseases especially benefit. In addition, those who may not normally seek medical help may be responsive to recommendations for self-care. Incorporating healthy self-care practices into one’s daily life can have lasting benefits. And they don’t need to be expensive or time-consuming to be effective.

The Solve.Care platform is designed to manage any kind of healthcare coordination. Patients can manage their self-care records using the Care.Wallet and HAYFT (How Are You Feeling Today) Care.Card. They can immediately share updates on health conditions, side effects from treatment, or other information with their Care.Circle, which includes family or caregivers.

With a daily record, providers can monitor their patient’s conditions at any time and give care recommendations without having to wait for appointments to do so. HAYFT Care.Cards also allow family members the option of being involved in caring for a loved one.

By incorporating self-care interventions into everyday practice, providers and the systems they work for could radically improve how healthcare is delivered, making it more accessible and effective for all.

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