Self-Management Support
If you have a long-term or chronic health condition, you can learn how to help manage it and to live well with it. This is called self-management.
Self-management support is help you can get to manage your health condition.
What a long-term health condition is
A long-term health condition is one that can be treated and managed but is usually not cured.
For example:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- diabetes
- heart conditions
- stroke
- arthritis
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
What you need to do
You have an important role in your healthcare. Your family members or carers may also have a role to play.
You need to:
- have a full understanding of your condition
- know how to manage it
- how it will affect your life
Examples of self-management
Self-management is what you do every day.
This may include:
- recognising and dealing with symptoms (monitoring your condition)
- taking medicine
- managing treatment
- attending appointments
- making lifestyle changes
- coping with the emotional effects of your condition
To do this well you need to have the right information, support and services.
Benefits of self-management
Learning how to self-manage your condition may help you:
- feel better
- stay active
- live well
Support you can get
Getting self-management support will help you to:
- learn more about your condition
- feel more confident
- become better at taking care of your health
- set goals, problem-solve and make plans to live a healthier life
Learning to take care of yourself when dealing with a long-term health condition is not something you do once. It is an ongoing part of your care.
Types of self-management support
There are many different types of self-management support.
They include:
- reviews by members of your healthcare team
- getting information on your condition
- action plans, for use when symptoms get worse
- lifestyle change supports
- talking to a counsellor
- cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation
- courses and groups
Groups and courses
Courses and groups are another type of self-management support.
They include:
- peer support groups
- social prescribing - when your GP or a link worker connects you to activities, groups, and services in your community
- HSE Living Well programme - a free 6-week group self-management programme for adults with long-term health conditions
- type 1 diabetes support courses
- type 2 diabetes support courses
Resources if you have a long-term health condition
These resources support people to live well with long-term health conditions.
Resources if you have a long-term health condition
Resources for healthcare professionals working with people living with long-term health conditions