Jobs Blog Contact TLM in your country Search Shop Donate Home What is leprosy? Leprosy Champions Our Work About us Get involved Home / … / Self-care Back to healthcare projects listed Self-care Self-care Leprosy wounds, ulcers, and nerve damage require those affected to take care of themselves. We provide people with the knowledge, skills, and support networks they need to care for themselves. Leprosy is a disease where careful management of symptoms can make a vast difference to the experience of people affected by the disease. When there is a delay in diagnosis and treatment of leprosy, nerve damage and subsequently disabilities may occur, many of which can be prevented. It is important, therefore, to help people affected by leprosy to look after themselves, without the need to wait for medical workers to visit them, or for patients to have to travel to hospitals for treatment. Self-care equips persons affected by leprosy with the knowledge they need to take care of themselves Self-care is at the heart of many of TLM’s projects globally. Proper wound management, assistive devices and other preventative techniques can help leprosy patients to manage their impairments and prevent these impairments from deteriorating. This can be organised on an individual level or in groups, where people are taught a daily routine, such as: using preventative methods when performing daily life activities (e.g. using a cloth when picking up a hot pan or blinking the eyes frequently to prevent dryness); inspection for and treatment of wounds and infections which are not felt because of nerve damage; soaking, oiling and caring for feet and hands to avoid dry and cracking skin; and stretching exercises to prevent stiffness and contractures (WHO, 2007). The benefits of self-care groups In a Self-Care Group, individual participants are accountable in managing their own condition, but they’re also supported and accountable to the rest of the participants, providing each other with support. That’s good on a number of accounts. It deals with wounds early so there’s ultimately less damage. It empowers people to act in their best interests (even though stigma tries to deny them). And it means that hospitals can direct resources to other needs. It also means that people affected by leprosy are able to access support without the expenses and inconvenience of travelling to a hospital. This is especially important for people who live in remote villages. Jobs Blog Contact Trustees reports Pension scheme Code of conduct Care for the climate Partnerships and networks TLM near you Safeguarding Pray Privacy Policy Cookies The Leprosy Mission International 80 Windmill Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 0QH, United Kingdom Company Registration no: 3591514 Registered Charity No: 1076356 Proud members of Marketing OFF We use marketing cookies to help us improve the relevancy of advertising campaigns you receive. Privacy Your privacy choices for this site This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality. Accept Manage choices