SELF-CARE DEFICIT THEORY

SELF-CARE DEFICIT

• is the absence or limitation of the ability of the an individual to meet self care requirements as well as when the need arises to use special techniques and apply scientific knowledge in the design or provision of care.

• in short, self-care demands exceed self-care abilities.

Examples of Self-Care Deficits:1. Lack of Universal Self-Care

Requisites

lack of activity and

rest

**altered nutrition, oxygen deprivation

unsafe

environment

impaired social

interaction

**altered elimination i

X

2. Lack of Developmental Self-Care Requisite

3. Lack of Health Deviation Self-Care

**noncompliance to

medications

**inappropriate medical assistance

In the presence of self-care deficit, nursing is needed. Orem has identified five areas of activity for nursing practice.

1. Entering into and maintaining nurse-patient relationships with individuals, families or groups until patients can legitimately be discharged from nursing.

2. Determining if and how patients can be helped through nursing.

3. Responding to patients’ requests, desires, and needs for nurse contacts and assistance.

4. Prescribing, providing and regulating direct help to patients and their significant others in the form of nursing.

5. Coordinating and integrating nursing with the patient’s daily living, other health care needed or being received, and social and educational services needed or being received.