With Wellness Care, YOU are in the Driver’s Seat

A holistic, team-oriented approach to health management and prevention

A holistic care plan (also known as a patient-centered care plan) weaves together all aspects of a person’s life—physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental—into one coordinated plan created with the patient. It is dynamic and regularly adjusted as needs, goals, and circumstances change. Measurably superior outcomes compared to traditional disease-focused approaches across multiple dimensions: length of stay, costs, readmissions, mortality, quality of life, and patient satisfaction (1,2).

How Holistic Care Plan Works

1. Whole-person assessment

• Looks beyond diagnosis, and also assesses physical symptoms, mental health, emotional state, social supports, environment, culture, and spiritual beliefs.
• Includes lifestyle factors (diet, movement, sleep, stress, finances, housing)

2. Patient-centered goals

• Goals are set collaboratively, reflecting what matters most to you, the patient (comfort, independence, function, meaning, relationships), not just lab values.
• Goals are realistic, prioritized, and tied to your values, capabilities, and stage of life, with clear ways to monitor progress.

3. Integrated interventions (conventional + complementary)

• Combines evidence-based medical treatments with appropriate complementary strategies such as nutrition changes, exercise, stress reduction, mindfulness, or spiritual support.
• Uses non-drug approaches where possible (education, coping skills, environment changes, social connection) alongside medications or procedures to support overall well-being.

4. Interdisciplinary, coordinated team

• Involves multiple disciplines (medicine, nursing, mental health, rehab, nutrition, social work, chaplaincy, etc.) working from a shared, holistic plan.
• Emphasizes coordinated communication, handoffs, and continuity across settings (home, clinic, hospital, long-term care).

5. Family and community involvement

• Connects the person with community resources, social support, spiritual communities, and practical help (transport, meals, financial aid).

6. Emphasis on prevention, resilience, and adaptation

• Focuses on preventing complications and promoting long-term wellness (e.g., stress management, physical activity, healthy sleep, fall prevention).
• Builds coping skills, resilience, and adaptation to illness or disability rather than only reacting to crises.

The difference lies in the approach.

Unlike traditional healthcare, where the provider runs the show, you are the one who, along with your Wellness Care Pro, sets up weekly or monthly goals with check-ins, coaching, referrals, home safety checklists, and more as needed.

Your Care Pro determines when to bring in your RN Care Manager, and if needed, the supervising clinician.

Once you and your Care Pro have identified goals, your Care Pro can determine which specialists are needed to achieve your goals. Whether it is a chronic illness, pain, or an unexpected hospitalization, your team is there to help you achieve optimum, realistic outcomes.

Specialists may include:

• Dietician- for diabetes education, weight control, or specialized diets
• Clinical pharmacist – to review your medications for any overlaps in medications, side effects, and safety.
• Physical and/or occupational therapy- especially if mobility impaired, post-stroke, or after surgery requiring physical therapy and rehabilitation. Assistive device training, ADLs, and home modification assessment are addressed as needed.
• Community resource navigator: Coordinates transportation, identifies caregiver supports, and home services.
• Specialists: Rheumatologists, oncologists, neurologists, and other specialty referrals as needed.
• Mental health referral as needed, along with information and exercises to address anxiety and stress reduction. Medication for mental health under close supervision and guidance.

References

1. Jasemi, M., Valizadeh, L., Zamanzadeh, V., & Keogh, B. (2017). A Concept Analysis of Holistic Care by Hybrid Model. Indian journal of palliative care, 23(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1075.197960
2. Wang J, Qiao JH. Holistic conditions after colon cancer: A randomized controlled trial of systematic holistic care vs primary care. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2023 Dec 27;15(12):2844-2854. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i12.2844. PMID: 38221998; PMCID: PMC10784843. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1075.197960
   

Written by Brooke Lounsbury