Managing Your Condition

 

Managing a health condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, or cancer may mean making several physical, emotional, social and spiritual adjustments to your life.

Health professionals can help but much of the time you’ll be managing your own health. What are you going to eat? Are you going to exercise today? Are you going to take your medications? These are decisions you will make yourself every day.

Learning tips and skills to help you manage your health condition(s) more effectively at home (known as self-management skills) can make a real difference to how well you feel. Making good choices each day can reduce your risk of complications and even slow your condition’s progression. Having a better understanding of your condition can also help you know when to seek support from others.

How much support will you need?

Having a strong support network around you can really help. The level of support you need - from family, whaanau, friends and health professionals - may change over time as the impact of your condition changes.

Your family may also need support. Having a health condition can have important implications for them such as financial hardship, times where you are unable to fulfil social and cultural responsibilities, or transport difficulties when you have a medical appointment. You may need support to work through these issues together.

You may also find it helpful to talk with a local community support group for people with your condition. These groups provide a wide range of advice, information, disease-specific education and training for both families and carers. Ask your doctor, nurse or community health worker, or see one of the websites below, for local contacts for groups in your community.

What can help you manage your condition?

Self-Management Education

Self-management education (SME) can help you find different ways to live well with your health condition. These group sessions focus on:

• Problem solving
• Action planning
• Ways to handle difficult emotions such as stress, depression, isolation and pain
• How to take medications safely
• Using the mind to manage symptoms such as pain, fatigue and shortness of breath
• How to communicate effectively with family, friends and health professionals
• Safe exercise and healthy eating.

Contact your doctor or nurse for details about SME courses available in your area.

Wellness Plans

Wellness plans (or care plans) are developed with your doctor or nurse and record the care, support and self-management you require. Together you set goals that are achievable and meaningful to you. A wellness plan can describe:

• Your condition
• Your goals and steps to get there
• Your medications and treatment plan
• Expectations for everyone involved in your care
• Links to other health and support services

Regular follow-ups with your primary health care team

Regular visits with your doctor, nurse or community health worker provide an opportunity to review your self-management goals and strategies; monitor your condition and review your treatment. Even when you are feeling well, it’s important to keep track of your condition to prevent future complications.

If you have diabetes you are entitled to a free visit each year (called a ‘Diabetes Get Checked’ visit) with your doctor and nurse to review your diabetes and how it is affecting your overall health.

Your doctor and nurse may have other programmes available to provide extra support for people with a range of long term health conditions, including further care for those with diabetes. Talk to your doctor or nurse for more information.

Online Information

The amount of health-related information available online can be overwhelming and confusing. The following websites may be useful starting points:

	Health Navigator offers comprehensive advice about how to best manage a number of conditions yourself and also how to find self management education courses in Auckland. The information on the website has been reviewed by New Zealand health professionals to ensure it is relevant and accurate.
	Webhealth is a directory of regional health and social services linked to a range of issues including addiction, depression, dental care, child and family health, mental health and parenting. It has a section devoted to Counties Manukau.
	Healthpoint offers patients easy-to-use information about what to expect before, during and after engaging with health services for a range of health issues. It includes information specific to Counties Manukau.