What Is Holistic Nursing Care?
Within nursing care, having a holistic approach is essential, it not only includes looking at an individuals physical health, but generally looks into their well being too. Holistic health care is about understanding that beyond someones medical conditions they have emotional, spiritual and social well being needs. The term ‘holistic care’ refers to offering health which considers the entire individual and the concept of this form of care was introduced by Florence Nightingale. It means looking at the concept of person-centred care, in an empathetic way whilst enhancing the individuals satisfaction. In short terms, holistic care is known to maintain not only the body of an individual but also their soul.
Why Is Holistic Care Important In Nursing?
Those who use a holistic approach within their care are comprehensive, they consider the individuals emotional, spiritual and social well being, some of these key components include:
Physical Care - This is more linked towards the medical side of things, caring for those with wounds, providing medication and handling other physical illnesses or symptoms.
Emotional Support - This is one of the most important forms of care for residents, with respectful communication, having someone there to listen all within a welcoming environment, where residents feel safe to share their thoughts and worries.
Psychological Care - This is all do to with the residents mental state, recognising any mental health issues such as stress management, anxiety and sadness etc and treating them where necessary.
Spiritual Care - This is where those who promote holistic care, provide the chance for residents to express their spiritual beliefs through prayers and meditation. In this case, all nurses will support and respect each resident due to their beliefs.
Person-Centred Care Plans - This is where care homes will develop person-centred care plans where preferences, values and goals are all taken into consideration, ensuring the resident is put first and their care aligns with their needs and requirements.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Guidance - This is where care home staff will ensure they get residents to open up about their lifestyle, such as providing advice where needed when it comes to diets, exercising and overall healthy life choices, all to help maintain residents with keeping up with and improving their physical health.
Differences Between Holistic Nursing And Traditional Nursing
The main difference between traditional nursing and holistic nursing is their approach to care…
Person-Centred Care - When it comes to person-centred care with holistic nursing it’s all about emphasising on the individuality of each resident. Where as with traditional nursing, it’s about following the nursing practice protocols such as treating specific medical conditions.
Whole-Person Approach - With holistic nursing its all about seeing someone as a whole, considering all aspects of their health. Yet, traditional nursing focuses more on the physical aspects, looking into medication, overseeing their vital signs and treating other physical aliments.
Integration of Complimentary Therapies - Within holistic nursing, this approach looks into relaxation techniques such as meditation, acupuncture and other herbal remedies. Traditional nursing prefers to use more evidence around medical and pharmaceutical treatments combined with theoretical knowledge.
Holistic Assessments - For holistic nursing, this is about administering a comprehensive assessment going beyond the physical symptoms and exploring a residents overall lifestyle including their emotional and mental wellbeing, their spiritual aspects of their life and relationships. This gains a much better understanding of someones well being. Similar to the point above, traditional nursing looks more into identifying the physical symptoms, conventional medicines and diagnosing medical conditions.
Preventive & Wellness Focus - Holistic nurses encourage residents to look into a healthier lifestyle, where residents can focus on self care, taking care of their well being within holistic practices. Traditional nursing likes to look more into the chronic illnesses, rather than focusing on preventative measures.
Collaborative & Interdisciplinary Care - Within this sector, holistic nurses work close with other healthcare professionals (registered nurses) to provide both integrated care and comprehensive. Traditional nursing is similar as they also focus on this collaboration, but more with a hierarchical structure, having a prime focus on medical doctors.
It’s essential to keep in mind that both these approaches to using care is necessary when it comes to aspects of healthcare and they can compliment each other based off the requirements and needs of each resident.
Benefits For Residents
Holistic nursing supports and heals all holistic principles for an individuals health and quality of life, by considering all their needs, preferences and values, holistic nursing can ensure each care is personalised to each individual to promote health and wellbeing. This personalised approach fosters engagement, empowerment and trust when healing. Holistic nurses promote wellbeing alongside preventing illnesses, they do so by focusing on self care practices, lifestyle modifications, preventive measures and an individuals experience on their improved health and quality of life. All these therapies (nutrition, meditation, relaxation techniques, counselling etc) compliment conventional medical treatments, promoting wellbeing whilst reducing stress and supporting our bodies natural healing process.
How Does An Holistic Nursing Approach Help?
Holistic care in nursing can be done in many ways, this is because it addresses the individuals spiritual, physical and psychological needs. Here’s a breakdown of some advantages:
Spiritual Well Being
Meaning & Purpose - Holistic nurses recognise the importance of spirituality, offering supportive environments for residents to express and explore their beliefs, helping them find a meaning and purpose.
Spiritual Support - During times of existential questioning or spiritual distress, offering meditation sessions or prayers can help.
Physical Well Being
Prevention & Wellness - To maintain and improve physical health such as education on healthy lifestyle choices, nutrition guidance, stress reduction techniques and exercise recommendations we can promote preventative measures and wellness practices.
Integrated Approaches - Supported both by symptom management and physical healing, this includes alternative medicines such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage therapy and aromatherapy.
Pain & Management - By using different techniques such as guided imagery, non-pharmacological interventions and relaxation methods, we can help find the underlying cause of the residents pain and alleviate discomfort.
Psychological Well Being
Emotional Support - Nurses provide empathetic and compassionate care towards residents, listening to them, validating their feelings and creating a safe place for them to express how they feel.
Stress Reduction & Relaxation Techniques - Though meditation, mindfulness, guided imagery and deep breathing exercises, this helps residents control and manage their anxiety.
Holistic Assessments & Medical Health Considerations - Holistic healthcare nurses can collaborate with other healthcare professions to provide appropriate interventions and referrals to mental healths services by identifying their emotional distress, general mental health concerns or psychosocial stressors.
Overall, both nursing care and holistic therapies provide many benefits to impact individuals in different ways but all positively. By offering person-centred care it means promoting a comprehensive understanding which considers psychological, spiritual and physical dimensions, all improving optimal health and wellbeing. This approach enhances healthcare settings, fosters a supportive care environment for all, cultivates stronger relationships, prioritises self care, increases residents satisfaction and personal growth, which in turn, reduces burnout and increases job satisfaction. Playing a pivotal role in promoting holistic heath, empowering one another and creating effective and empathetic but compassionate healthcare systems.
Our Care Home
Here at Highwood Care Home, we provide holistic nursing care along with a a variety of comprehensive care for anyone who may need it; residential care, nursing care, dementia care, respite care and palliative care. Our dedicated team go above and beyond for our residents, ensuring the health and needs of our residents are put first along with combining the latest developments in holistic nursing. If you or your loved one resides with us, you can be rest assured that they will receive outstanding levels of care alongside benefiting from our luxurious facilities and amenities. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about our care home, or book in for a tour to see what we’re all about.
