MEETING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS BY: CINDY QUISENBERRY

HUMAN NEEDS NEEDS - the things and activities that all persons require to successfully and satisfactorily live their lives These needs are the same for everyone Culture influences the way in which individuals express these basic needs Culture - refers to customs and practices that are common to groups of people

HUMAN NEEDS Each of us has things that we need to live successfully. These are called needs simply because we cannot get along without them. When patients are admitted to the hospital, they bring their needs too. The difference now is in the way those needs are expressed and fulfilled. Expression and fulfillment are different because of the hospital environment and the illness.

Age Appropriate Care ALERT HUMAN NEEDS Age Appropriate Care ALERT Avoid stereotyping patients based on their age or other characteristics, such as skin color, religion, or sexual preference. Provide patient-focused care by treating each patient as an individual. A key part of your job is the ability to recognize each patient’s unique needs and abilities.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Maslow defined a Hierarchy of Human Needs that stated the lower needs must be met before an individual can strive to meet the higher needs.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Physiological - necessary for life; unmet and these needs lead to death Oxygen Nutrition, Water Rest Shelter Elimination Activity Sexuality

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Safety & Security (If physical needs are not met, the person will not be concerned with safety.) The need to be free from anxiety and fear The need to be secure in the environment The need for order and routine

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Love & Belonging Social acceptance, friendship, need to be loved Need to belong, to relate to others Sexuality - lifelong characteristics that defines the maleness and femaleness of each person Sexuality has to do with the ability to develop relationships, to give of oneself to others, and to appreciate the giving by others. Intimacy is one aspect of sexuality. Intimacy - a feeling of closeness with another human

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Love & Belonging It is not always easy to meet sexual and intimacy needs in a healthcare setting. Health care workers can help meet patients needs by: Respecting privacy. Always knock and wait before opening a closed door. Speaking before opening the bedside curtains. Not judging behaviors and practices as wrong. Not discussing personal sexual information about a patient with others.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Human Touch Human touch is very strong and very important. This pleasurable sensation begins at birth when the mother and child touch one another. As people age they have fewer opportunities for touch. Never force your attentions on a patient, but remember nonsexual touching is important. It can mean much to the lives of those in your care.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Human Touch You will learn that wearing gloves is sometimes necessary for procedures. Sometimes caregivers apply gloves as soon as they enter the room and wear the gloves for all care. NOTE: Wearing gloves is not necessary or desirable in most patient care situations. In fact, wearing the same pair of gloves for many different activities poses a major risk of cross-contamination.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Human Touch Remove gloves before touching: side rails counters doorknobs faucets blood pressure cuffs (unless patient is in isolation) stethoscopes thermometers, etc.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Human Touch Wearing gloves may send a message that the patient is undesirable, untouchable, or highly infectious. Avoid offending patients with unnecessary use of gloves. Balance your infection control precautions with patients’ emotional needs for love, belonging, and acceptance.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Self-esteem Feeling important and worthwhile - includes respect, approval, appreciated Engage in activities that bring achievement, success, and recognition Gain self-confidence and begin to direct our actions toward

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Self-actualization Self-realization - obtaining full potential, becoming confident, eager to express beliefs, and willing to reach out to others to help them

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Growth and development follow a set of basic principles of progression: There is continuous movement from simple to more complex. Development and growth move from head to feet and from torso to limbs. The infant first raises the head, then sits, stands, and finally walks. At each stage of development, the person has a set of tasks to master before moving on to the next level.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Growth - involves the changes that take place in the body. It is usually measured by height and weight and degree of system maturation. Development - involves the changes that take place on the social, emotional, and psychological levels. Behavior and interpersonal skills indicate a person’s developmental level.