Chapter 11 Self-Care for the Gerontological Nurse

Characteristics of Nurse Healers Recognition that nursing is a healing art. Importance of being a model of holism. Being present for patients.

Creating Foundations for Healing Guide elders with common yet challenging life transitions. Assist individuals in exploring the deeper meaning of the experiences they face. Soothe the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain that frequently invade fragile territory. Provide the care that facilitates individuals in becoming integrated, restored, and balanced.

Nursing Interventions for Healing Teaching Guiding Modeling Coaching Encouraging Helping the patient through the various steps.

Strategies for Self-Care Following positive health care practices. Strengthening and building connections.

Fostering Self-Care Practices Allocate a few hours to critically review your health status. Identify problems. Plan realistic actions to improve health. Write actions on an index card and place it in a spot that is regularly seen. Partner with a buddy who can offer support.

Barriers to Connecting with People Little time and energy in reserve (following workday) to invest in nurturing relationships with friends and family. Work-related stress is displaced to significant others, interfering with positive personal relationships. Concern for patients’ welfare or employer pressure leads to excessive overtime work. –This leaves little time and energy to do more in off hours than attend to basics.

Spiritual Connectedness Time and energy must be reserved for connecting with God or other Higher Power. A sense of spiritual groundedness enables nurses to better understand and serve the spiritual needs of patients. Spiritual connection can be enhanced by planning time to engage in spiritual activities.

Spiritual Activities Prayer Fasting Attending church or temple Engaging in Bible studies Taking periodic retreats Practicing days of solitude and silence

Staying Connected to Self Sharing life stories Journaling Meditating Taking retreats

Topics to Include in Life Story Family profile Childhood Adolescence Adulthood

Self-Care Is a Dynamic Process Self-care is an ongoing process that demands active attention. –Knowing the actions that support self-care is only the beginning. –Committing to engaging in one’s self-care completes the picture.

Source Eliopoulos, C. (2005). Gerontological Nursing, (6 th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (ISBN ).