April is Global Health Month. It’s about what matters to you.
It may be hard to imagine your healthcare team asking you, “What really matters in your life?” You’re more used to having your “problem list” reviewed or being asked by a doctor, “So what brings you today? »
circle of health
Moving to a comprehensive healthcare system in VA is changing the conversation from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What matters to you?”
It’s time to think about what makes your health a priority. Maybe you plan to take the boat or the RV out for the season or maybe you want to clean up on the volleyball court during the family reunion this summer. Maybe you just want to be able to walk your dog every day.
When your VA healthcare team knows what your goals are, it’s easier to work together to help you live your best life. Ultimately, most of us care more about living a full, meaningful life than our blood sugar levels, blood pressure, or even our weight. What we really want is to be able to live the life we want for as long as possible.
Holistic Health is an approach that focuses on what is important to Veterans. It’s about putting veterans at the center of their care and letting their own mission, aspiration and purpose guide their commitment to health and well-being.
Why is your health important to you?
Whether you want to wake up with less pain, change careers, or reduce stress, you can start by talking with your healthcare provider or visiting our Whole Health Website to complete a personal health inventory.
Ta-Tanisha Randell
THE Personal Health Inventory guides you through eight areas of self-care identified on the circle of health to help you determine how they affect your health. Based on your responses, this self-assessment tool will help you identify areas to work on with your VA healthcare providers.
Our comprehensive health care system is working. It empowers and equips veterans to take charge of their health and live their lives to the fullest. Whole Health helped an 80-year-old Veteran James Canaday lose 140 pounds, which greatly improved his health and mobility. He can now walk short distances without help.
Pictured above, Canaday, 80, practices tai chi poses with Beckley VA tai chi instructor Lydia Cox.
Whole Health helped a veteran and a VA employee Ta-Tanisha Randell change the course of her career from a job that was draining her to a job that empowers her, the Veterans and the employees she serves.
Whole Health is also helping to transform VA beyond the walls of our facilities. In partnership with the local YMCA of Indianapolis, Whole Health gave veterans the opportunity to participate in a weekend camp where they engaged in various recreational and therapeutic activities centered on the Circle of Health.
Whole Health is also for AV employees. Nationwide, VA healthcare facilities provide employees with the opportunity to focus on their own health and well-being. A win-win for employees and the veterans they serve.
Take a few minutes this month to reflect on what really matters to you, what you want your health to achieve, and share that with your VA healthcare team. Creating lifelong health and well-being is a partnership, and it starts with you.