Self care

What is Self Care?

Self Care is about taking control of your own health and wellbeing. It is how you treat minor ailments, take medicines and seek help when you need it as well as keeping fit and healthy.

Learning to look after your health is a good thing – puts you in control, improves your quality of life and helps you live more healthily.

There is lots of information and support available to help you to do this:

• Get fit
• Stop smoking
• Cut down on alcohol
• Eat more healthily
 

The NHS Choices website contains useful information on self care support and links to information on specific health conditions.

Your local pharmacist can give you help and advice about your health and wellbeing, and about treating minor ailments, particularly if you have a long term condition. Speak to your local pharmacist, GP or practice nurse about how they can help you take control.
 

If you’re living with a long-term condition, Your health, your way is all about how self care can help you cope better with your condition and get more out of life. 

Self Management Education Programmes

NHS Norfolk has commissioned education programmes for five specific conditions - diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and arthritis.

The programmes will help people gain the skills needed to manage their condition. They will vary according to condition, but could include lifestyle and exercise, medicine management, communication skills, symptom management (including pain management and anxiety management) and care planning.

Expert Patients Programme

The Expert Patients Programme Community Interest Company Online is a free internet-based course for people who live with long-term condition(s), have difficulty getting out of the house, live in rural areas or would just prefer to do the course online.

New sessions will start each week and you can log on 2-3 times per week for a total of 2 hours. The course lasts for six weeks and you can access it at anytime.

What is covered over the six weeks?

• Managing tiredness and pain
• Coping with feelings of depression
• Relaxation techniques and exercise
• Healthy eating
• Action planning and problem solving techniques
• Communication skills with healthcare professionals, friends, family and colleagues.

If you are interested in finding out more about the courses, please email eppcic@selfmanage.org or call 0800 988 5550. You can also visit their website.

Challenging Arthritis

If you are looking for ways to cope with your arthritis, this course, run by Arthritis Care, could be of interest to you. You may have been recently diagnosed, have lived with the condition for some time, or someone close to you may have arthritis.

The course consists of a two-and-a-half-hour session once a week for six weeks which will include talks by the trainers and practical activities.

• What is covered over the six weeks?
• Pain management
• Medication
• Exercise
• Communication skills
• Emotions
• Action planning

If you are interested in finding out more about the programme or want to register your interest, please call 0845 650 4400 or go to the Arthritis Care website.