Holistic care is important because it treats people as more than their disease or symptoms. By addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health, it can foster a deeper sense of well-being, and empower individuals to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
The key principles of holistic care are:
1. Person-centred, individualised approach
Active listening, recognising that each patient’s health experiences and needs are unique, and their circumstances and personal goals should be reflected in their care plan.
2. Patient empowerment
Education enables patients to play an active role in their care decisions and feel more in control of their health.
3. Whole-person focus
Considering the interconnectedness of the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of health promotes acceptance and resilience.
4. Collaboration
Holistic care often involves multidisciplinary teams working together to provide personalised care; coordinated care across disciplines ensures that all aspects of a patient’s health are addressed.
5. Quality of life
The overarching goal of the holistic approach is to achieve and maintain the best possible quality of life for people living with chronic illnesses.
Holistic care is particularly important in amyloidosis because this complex and often life-altering condition affects every aspect of the life of the person diagnosed, as well as the people closest to them.
Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease, meaning it can affect several organs – such as the heart, kidneys, liver, nerves, and gut – leading to a wide variety of symptoms. In order to address these diverse challenges it is necessary to focus on the entire person rather than one organ or symptom, and to adopt a highly coordinated approach across the multidisciplinary care team.
A diagnosis of amyloidosis can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, depression and uncertainty due to its complexity and potential severity. Furthermore, amyloidosis often causes debilitating physical symptoms, such as fatigue, breathlessness, and pain. A holistic approach integrates medical treatments with supportive, rehabilitative and adaptive therapies – like nutrition, pain management, psychological services, and physical and occupational therapy – to improve overall well-being.
Over the coming months we will explore the different aspects of holistic care in amyloidosis. Look out for our weekly posts and discover how you might benefit from this approach and how to advocate for it.
