What it means
Everything a person does on their own behalf to stay healthy and manage illness: bathing, dressing, eating and toileting, as well as taking medicines, checking blood sugar or weight, and keeping appointments. A self-care deficit is a nursing diagnosis for a client who cannot fully do one of these tasks. Dorothea Orem's nursing theory is built on self-care.
For the nurse
Let the client do as much as they safely can, and teach the skills they need for home. Before discharge, have the client show you a skill such as giving insulin (teach-back) instead of only telling them how.
In a chart
"Client independent with self-care except putting on compression stockings."
At a glance
| Spanish | autocuidado |
|---|---|
| Also written | self care |
Related terms
activities of daily living
The basic self-care tasks of everyday life, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting and moving about.
health promotion
Helping people take actions that keep them well and improve their health.
hygiene
Care of the body to keep it clean and healthy, such as bathing, mouth care, hair and nail care.