In the Spotlight
Whole Person, Whole Health, Whole Life
Focus on the person, not the disease
If you're a Premium user, you've probably used My HealtheVet for prescription refills. Maybe you've downloaded part of your medical records or looked at your doctor's notes from a recent visit. You've even talked to the health care team about your diet (maybe it's about your weight or blood sugar levels). But if you think your health care is missing a plan, then you need to look at Whole Health.
What is Whole Health?
Whole Health is VA's new approach to delivering health care. It equips you to take charge of your health and well-being and to live your life to the fullest. VA facilities across the country are implementing Whole Health as a new approach to provide health services with Veterans as partners in your health. The focus is on empowering you to take charge of your health and well-being. Clinical care, when needed, is an important part of any Personal Health Plan. This isn't about prescriptions or medications. Whole Health is an approach that focuses on supporting YOU to achieve YOUR goals.
How does it work?
Whole Health is a new approach that is all about you and complements any clinical care you may be receiving. You are invited to use Whole Health online resources and attend peer-led Introduction to Whole Health sessions at VA facilities. In these education sessions, you can explore your mission, aspiration, and purpose, and begin your overarching personal health plan. VA patients can also work with Whole Health peer facilitators who are Veterans serving to support their fellow Veterans in achieving their goals.
Get Started
Contact your local VA or ask your health care team how you can get started. You can complete the online Personal Health Inventory, which you can download as a file and send as a Secure Message to your health care team.
Once you determine your priorities, your VA health team can help identify well-being programs to help enhance your self-care. Well-being programs can include physical and creative activities, mindfulness, meditation, or many complementary approaches that include yoga, acupuncture, and others.
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Created October 4, 2018
