self-care, 1. the personal and medical care performed by the patient, usually in collaboration with and after instruction by a health care professional. The patient’s need for assistance and ability to develop a higher level of self-care must be evaluated in forming any nursing care plan. Maximal self-care appropriate to the condition and to the patient is often the ultimate goal of nursing care. Occupational therapy services also help restore, develop, or maintain the skills necessary to permit physically and mentally disabled people to perform the daily living tasks of self-care. 2. the health care by laypeople of their families, their friends, and themselves, including identification and evaluation of symptoms, medication, and treatment. Self-care is self-limited, voluntary, and wholly outside professional health care systems but may include consultation with a physician or other health care professional as a resource. 3. personal care accomplished without technical assistance, such as eating, washing, dressing, using the telephone, and attending to one’s own elimination, appearance, and hygiene. The goal of rehabilitation medicine is maximal personal self-care.
