A9 - Health and Wellbeing (WIP)

• What were the changes in the approach to healthcare?

  Policy changes to focus on the promotion of health and wellbeing and prevention of ill health (e.g. the NHS long term plan or most current policy)

  Changes in approach from treating illness to promoting wellbeing

  Improved multi-agency working to support individuals' health and social care needs
• What were the changes in how to support a person's health, comfort and wellbeing?

  Collaborative approaches across the healthcare sector including with social care services, communities and individuals

  Encouraging active involvement of individuals to self-manage their health and wellbeing, taking into account lifestyle choices

  Encourage individuals to make decisions about the care, support and treatment they receive

  Adopting a person-centred approach to support an individual's physical, intellectual, emotional and social wellbeing
• How can you recognise the signs and symptoms of a person who is experiencing pain and discomfort and/or whose health and wellbeing is deteriorating?

  Physical:

  • physical ticks
  • altered baseline observations
  • skin conditions
  • repeatedly touching or guarding part of the body
  • moving slowly
  • wringing or clenching

  Verbal:

  • self report
  • crying out
  • groans/grunts

  Nonverbal:

  • facial expressions

  Behavioural:

  • altered energy levels
  • altered character
  • changes in usual eating/sleeping pattern
• How would you work in a person-centred way to ensure adequate nutrition, hydration and care are provided, preventing deterioration?

  Providing food and drink that meets individual's needs

  Ensuring food and drink does not have any contradictions with any medicine

  Supporting individuals who might have difficulties eating or drinking

  Providing equipment where appropriate to support individuals with eating or drinking and allowing individuals to choose equipment

  Ensuring individuals are provided with sufficient time to eat and drink
• How would you work in a person-centred way to ensure adequate nutrition, hydration and care are provided, preventing deterioration?

  Close monitoring of nutrition and fluid intake

  Communication to identify barriers in relation to eating and drinking

  Promotion of the value and importance of effective nutrition and hydration to overall wellbeing

  Working in partnership with carers or family members to ensure effective nutrition and hydration

  Working in partnership with other healthcare professionals to ensure effective nutrition and hydration
• What are the preventative approaches for moving towards good health and wellbeing?

  Help people stay healthy and independent for as long as possible

  Stop problems arising in the first place, focusing on keeping people healthy, not just treating them when they become ill

  Provide people with knowledge and skills to make lifestyle choices that support them to stay healthy
• What are the ways in which health promotion is used to support the prevention agenda to support good health and wellbeing?

  National campaigns from government departments

  Opportunistic delivery of health promotion by all healthcare and social care professionals

  Campaigns by specific groups and charities

  Sharing examples of health promotion activities (e.g. promoting physical activity, promoting breast feeding and reducing alcohol intake)
• How do nutrition and diet choices affect body mass index?

  Obesity increases the risk of developing a range of diseases including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease

  Malnutrition risk of vitamin deficiency
• How does smoking affect good health and wellbeing?

  Increases the risk of many cancers, especially lung cancer

  Increases the risk of heart disease
• How does low physical activity affect good health and wellbeing?

  Risk factor for a range of long-term conditions, including heart disease

  Greater risk of developing hypertension

  Has been linked to increased anxiety and depression

  Older adults who are physically active can reduce their risks of falls
• How does the consumption of alcohol affect good health and wellbeing?

  Long-term effects include organ damage including heart, liver and pancreas

  Increased risk of hypertension and heart disease

  Weakens immune system, increasing the risk of infections

  Weakens bones, increasing the risk of fractures and breaks

  Affects the brain including cognitive function, neurotransmitters and brain tissue
• How does substance abuse and addiction affect good health and wellbeing?

  Effects on health may occur after only one use

  Longer term effects include the risk of heart disease, cancer and hepatitis
• What are the range of methods of taking a holistic approach to healthcare?

  Treating the whole person, not just the condition

  Tailored treatment plans that meet the personal choices and needs

  Understanding the individual's lifestyle (e.g. commitments, such as family)

  Understanding the individual's mental health needs (e.g. any potential services they might need access to)

  Integrated working

  Health and wellbeing boards
• What is the purpose of signposting individuals to interventions or other services?

  To determine the most appropriate service for the individual to meet their needs including considerations given to the most cost-effective approach
• How can signposting support an individual's health and wellbeing?

  Provides awareness on a wider range of services available

  Provides alternative options

  Opportunities to discuss specific complaints or experiences with specialists or peers

  Provides support with activities of daily living

  Provides a safe and secure environment for the individual
• What is the impact of ageing on physical health?

  Cellular levels

  Body systems

  Senses

  Age associated diseases
• What is the impact of ageing on cognitive health?

  Memory

  Attention

  Reasoning

  Problem solving

  Information processing
• What is the impact of ageing on emotional wellbeing?

  Transitions and significant life events

  Own mortality

  Loneliness/Social isolation