The concepts of health and disease are complex to define. However, it is generally accepted that health is dynamic. According to the Illness-Wellness continuum, our health moves back and forth within a range, with optimum health at one end and premature death at the other end of this continuum.
According to this model, since our health continuously changes, our adaption or response to that change matters most as it affects our health directly. One person may respond calmly to a stressful situation, while another may get anxious about the same situation. The person who reacts calmly will have better health than the one who becomes anxious.
In the image above, the neutral point is the point in one’s life where there is no noticeable illness or wellness. On the right side of the neutral point, one’s health condition is said to be increasing until one hits the optimum or high-level wellness. Factors influencing an individual to move from the neutral point to optimum wellness include awareness, education and growth. The left side of the neutral point is the period of deteriorating health. One notices their health deteriorating when they start seeing signs and symptoms of diseases and disabilities. If nothing is done to improve such individuals’ wellness, their condition worsens, leading to premature death.
Treatment, therefore, is needed to move a person from the point of disability to the neutral point of wellness. This includes all kinds of interventions that will help patients recover from their disease symptoms.
At the neutral point, one is expected to maintain good health and protect oneself from diseases and ill health. All kinds of health-promoting behaviour, such as yoga, exercise and a healthy diet, are encouraged.
Growth, which defines health not just based on physical factors but also social aspects and spirituality, helps patients to achieve and grow in all spheres of their life, thus achieving high-level wellness.
Definition of important terms
Disease: refers to a harmful deviation from an organism’s normal structural or functional state, commonly associated with specific signs and symptoms and often diagnosed by a medical practitioner.
Illness: a general term that describes a perceived deteriorated health condition (whether due to a disease, infection, or mental health) that may or may not have been diagnosed yet. Hence, this term represents subjective experiences of a person’s ill health, such as fatigue, the feeling of pain, discomfort, etc.
Sickness: any condition that might not be medical but suggests a sense of discomfort or unwellness. It is usually used in a broader sense to describe a state of being unwell, but it can also imply something more social or functional, like ‘out sick from work’. In some contexts, it relates to a temporary condition (e.g., morning sickness or motion sickness).
Health holds many different definitions across time, culture, society, social class and even age groups. Hence, answering the question, ‘What is health?’ is complex. The word ‘health’ was derived from the old English word ‘hoelth‘, which refers to the state of being sound or whole. Health is more than the absence of dysfunction and disease. It includes the concept of mental and emotional well-being, physical strength and a healthy lifestyle.
Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Since mental and physical health are connected, an optimum physical state can improve one’s mental health and vice versa. On the other hand, problems with one’s mental health can affect one’s physical health and vice versa. It is, therefore, imperative to ensure that all dimensions of health are part of one’s everyday living.
Holistic Care: Care workers should focus on the whole person, not just their medical condition. This includes their preferences, interests, and maintaining their dignity.
Resident-Centered Care: Each resident is unique; hence, recognising and respecting their individuality is crucial for fostering a sense of well-being.