What is self-management?

Self-managing your health means taking charge of your health. This means doing the right things on a daily basis related to diet, sleep, medication, and exercise, and getting the health services you need to stay healthy. Therefore, taking charge of your health also means seeking out rehabilitation services when you are faced with a problem that you cannot manage on your own. Rehabilitation professionals can also help you build the skills to prevent or cope with future challenges. Self-management training is included in most rehabilitation plans.

What do I need to self-manage my health?

In this e-guide, self-management refers to you using your knowledge, skills, and the right attitude to stay as healthy, happy, and active as possible.  This includes not only keeping healthy and dealing with health-related challenges to avoid needing healthcare professionals, but also knowing when to seek help from healthcare professionals.
To self-manage your health successfully, you must be able to:

  • Understand HIV and its treatment.
  • Understand other health conditions you are living with.
  • Engage in health behaviours to minimize health issues and maximize health and well-being.
  • Be aware of changes in your body and your health.
  • Understand how to cope with the physical and emotional impact of issues and setbacks.
  • Understand where and how to get medical or social support to deal with challenges.
  • Be confident in your ability to handle your challenges.

Example

  • After starting a new HIV medication, you notice that you are starting to put on weight.
  • You do some research on the Internet, and find out that weight gain is a common side-effect of the medication.
  • You speak with your HIV specialist about the weight gain, and together you decide to stay on the medication, as the benefits outweigh the side-effects.
  • You decide to work with a dietitian to create a healthy meal plan to help lose the extra weight and then maintain a healthy weight.
  • You develop an exercise plan for yourself, using techniques and skills you have learned from previous treatment by a physiotherapist and tips you found on a reputable Canadian health website.

Where do I start with managing my health?

CATIE has provided a wonderful guidebook for HIV+ people called, “Managing your health” (http://www.catie.ca/en/practical-guides/managing-your-health).  Chapter 4 focuses on healthy living, and touches on many actions you can take at home on your own.  Many of these complement the rehabilitation techniques discussed in previous chapters.  The highlights include:

  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Getting the proper vitamins and minerals.
  • Exercising regularly / getting regular physical activity.
  • Dealing with stress.

The Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation has a few self-management tip sheets on its website: http://hivandrehab.ca/EN/resources/people_HIV.php.  These tip sheets cover:

  • Exercise and HIV
    • What to do before starting exercise
    • Suggestions on types of exercise
    • Suggestion on duration of exercise
  • Fatigue and HIV
    • Pacing
    • Positioning
    • Planning
    • Prioritizing
    • Problem-solving
  • Mental Health and HIV
    • Coping strategies for memory challenges
    • Coping strategies for stress