Developing self-care skills can be essential for people of all ages who are managing an injury, illness or disability. Honing new self-care skills can lead to greater independence and fulfillment. Self-care skills come in many different forms. Some are fairly straightforward, such as the skills needed for tasks like eating. Other self-care tasks, like following a complex routine, can be a little more challenging. Building a variety of self-care skills empowers you to live a more active and fulfilling life.
If you have a disability, you’re not alone: 28.7% of adults in the United States experience some kind of disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, 7.7% of U.S. adults have an independent living disability, meaning they face challenges managing daily tasks on their own. Needing extra support at times is completely OK. Supportive services and treatments can be essential for helping you maintain your routine and make improvements. However, becoming more independent can have its own benefits. Specialized rehabilitation services are intended to help patients become more self-reliant. With the right program, you can hone your skills and physical capabilities. Identifying self-care skills to work on can be a great first step toward a more independent life.
4 important self-care skills for people with injury, illness or disability
- Personal hygiene — Maintaining personal hygiene involves keeping yourself clean, which can sometimes be challenging to manage independently. People with limited physical abilities often need help with hygiene-related activities such as brushing teeth and bathing. These activities should be practiced regularly, ideally on a daily basis. By practicing personal hygiene on your own, you can start to limit the amount of help you need each day. This can enable you to independently maintain an important part of your daily routine. Personal hygiene has many aspects; it can include applying deodorant, showering and washing your hands regularly. Forming personal hygiene habits can make it easier to remember each activity. Though maintaining good hygiene can be difficult, it’s crucial for many reasons. Good hygiene helps prevent illnesses and infections. It can also improve your mental health by bolstering your confidence and helping you feel refreshed.
- Feeding — Being able to feed yourself is a valuable skill. Self-feeding can have many benefits, from reducing your reliance on caregivers and family members to improving your nutrition. In addition to feeding yourself, you may also want to practice preparing some simple meals such as sandwiches. A specialized treatment provider can help you develop the skills you need to feed yourself. They may also recommend assistive tools such as easy-grip utensils. Adaptive utensils and dishes can be great for enabling people with physical limitations to feed themselves.
- Dressing — If you’re able to dress yourself, you can get dressed when you want rather than waiting for help. Dressing yourself can also allow you to have more control over your fashion choices. By dressing according to your personal style preferences, you can become more confident and self-reliant. If you have trouble getting dressed in traditional clothing items, you may benefit from wearing adaptive clothing. Items like Velcro shoes and pants with elastic waistbands can be much easier to put on and take off. By simplifying your dressing and practicing relevant skills, you can become more independent in this aspect of your life.
- Daily scheduling — Do you struggle with managing your time? Poor time management skills can hinder your ability to keep up with your daily responsibilities. By honing your time management skills, you can reduce stress and find a healthier balance with your different activities. There are several skills that go into maintaining a good, sustainable schedule. One key skill is good organization. You can improve your organization with calendars, planners and productivity-oriented apps. Managing your time more effectively can also help you leave more rest time between strenuous activities. Scheduled rest periods can be essential for people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Getting the rest you need can help you maintain energy and avoid burnout. By improving your time management skills and daily scheduling, you can also gain a greater sense of control over your daily activities.
Ability KC can help people of all ages develop essential self-care skills
Do you want to continue your self-care skill development with professional support? Ability KC is here to help. Our team takes an integrated approach to care, tailoring treatment to the needs and goals of each patient. With our help, you can get specialized treatment that helps you achieve self-reliance.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.