Orem's Theory Analysis

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Orem’s Theory
Orem’s theory of Self Care deficit is a combination of 3 interrelated theories, namely theory of self care, theory of self care deficit, and theory of nursing systems. Self care theory is based on the fundamental idea of Orem’s theory of self care deficit(Meilis 2012). It defines self care as the activities the individual performs or that are performed for them when unable to perform themselves to maintain health and well being. Its concept of a healthy individual is obtained when all self care abilities and universal self care needs are met and in balance. When these needs and abilities become unbalanced nursing interventions are needed to equal them out. The self care deficit theory explains further the imbalance when the demand for self care abilities and needs are greater than the individuals capacity or ability to meet it. The theory is based on two beliefs. First, that the person’s ability to manage and engage in providing self care and/or dependant care and to take action to maintain and manage health and functioning. The second belief stems around what resources are available within their environment to aid the dependent individual. This theory is the core of Orem’s grand theory of nursing because it characterizes when nursing is needed. The third and final interrelated theory is the theory of nursing systems. This describes the actual actions the nurses perform to assist people with the self care needs and deficiencies. It breaks down the nurse patient relationship and roles into three categories, Wholly compensatory, partly compensatory, and supportive. The patient progresses in each of these categories toward independent self care. In wholly compensatory, there is no active participation in care by the patient. All needs are met by the nurse. Partly compensatory is where nurse and patient work together to achieve self goals. Finally,
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