Learn About Holistic Health Care and Why it is Beneficial
Holistic health care is a phrase we hear a lot, but most of us would probably have a hard time coming up with a definition. Indeed, even if we could, holistic health care means different things to different people, so definitions can change from one source to another.
The term holistic means approaching an entity as a whole, since all its parts are interrelated. When it comes to health care, a holistic approach is aimed at the whole person, paying attention to all interrelated parts, to achieve overall health and well-being.
A holistic approach is aimed at maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. The understanding is that if there is a problem in one area, it can affect others, so we must take care of the whole person, mental and physical, to achieve maximum health.
Contrary to popular belief, holistic health care does not necessarily exclude symptom-based medical treatment. In cases of chronic illnesses, illnesses or temporary disabilities, especially those involving pain or quality of life problems, a holistic approach may include medication, support for the body's healing capacity and care for the emotional and spiritual well-being of the patient.
Especially in elderly patients, the impact of debilitating physical illness, combined with the problems associated with aging, can lead to mental and emotional problems, such as anxiety, depression and isolation. Even a patient's environment, such as a hospital room or an unfamiliar health care facility, can affect the patient's ability to cope with a condition in the best possible way.
In such cases, a holistic health care practitioner can work in partnership with the patient to provide care for the whole person, taking into account all factors affecting the patient's situation.
For example, if it is determined that a patient's environment adds to emotional stress or loneliness, simply moving to a more familiar setting could greatly improve the patient's overall well-being and speed up recovery.
Very often, a holistic health care provider becomes a close friend and advisor to an elderly patient, acting as an understanding intermediary between the patient, doctors and family.
Numerous studies show that lifestyle, our physical and mental activities, have the greatest impact on our overall health. A holistic approach to the treatment of a sick elderly patient ensures that his lifestyle constantly pushes him towards better health.
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