Holistic health care: seeing the whole person

Care, prevention, conversation and support combined in everyday life

What does it mean to work as a holistic health nurse? I am asked this question again and again. Many people know nursing mainly from hospitals, care homes or mobile care: changing dressings, preparing medication, helping with personal hygiene, accompanying medical procedures.

All of that is important. But for me, health does not begin only where illness has already become visible. Health begins much earlier: in everyday life, in relationships, in one’s own perception, in the ability to recognise limits, take stress seriously and change something in good time.

I call myself a holistic health nurse because I do not perceive people only through symptoms, diagnoses or care needs. I see the whole person: their life situation, their experiences, their physical condition, their emotional burden, their social relationships and their opportunities to take more responsibility for their own health again.

Who I am

My name is Doreen Müller. I am 40 years old and have been working as a trained nurse since 2006. I currently work in a care home with a focus on psychosocial care and support of the residents.

As a nurse, mother of two children and holistic companion, I bring not only specialist knowledge but also my own experience of life and crises. I know how challenging phases of upheaval in health and personal life can be – and how valuable orientation, understanding and real support are along the way.

I want to help people in difficult situations. Partly because I have experienced crises myself: separating from a toxic relationship, bearing most of the responsibility for my children alone, financial burdens, material challenges and interpersonal conflicts.

What matters to me: belonging, society and community. An environment in which you feel comfortable, are respected and are wanted.

Doreen Müller

Registered nurse (DGKP), certified advance-planning adviser

What holistic health care means to me

As a registered health and nursing professional, my field of activity covers competence in emergencies, competence in medical diagnostics and therapy, and core nursing competences.

In my own offering, I concentrate mainly on core nursing competences. These include, for example, psychosocial care and conversation in health and nursing care, as well as restoring, supporting and promoting the activities of daily living.

My goal is that emergencies or intensive medical nursing should, as far as possible, never become necessary in the first place.

For me, holistic health care means putting health maintenance, prevention and health awareness first. When health challenges arise, I want to look not only at symptoms but also at possible causes.

I accompany people in recognising connections and implementing changes in their own lives that address these causes. In this way, self-determination can arise, be maintained or be regained.

The connection with doctors who also perceive people holistically is also important to me – doctors who do not only fight symptoms but help people take more responsibility for themselves again.

What I do differently from conventional nursing

Conventional nursing is often strongly focused on concrete tasks: changing dressings, ensuring conditions for healing, supporting medical procedures, promoting mobility or providing everyday help.

These tasks remain important. However, I see them as part of a bigger whole.

In addition to necessary care, I want to help the person concerned recognise possible causes of their health challenges by explaining, listening and asking targeted questions. I support them in building self-responsible activities into their everyday life and developing new routines.

In addition – where appropriate and desired – I also offer the use of alternative remedies such as oils. But social contact is particularly important to me. Really listening to a person is essential for me.

Because relief often does not begin with a measure, but with the feeling: I am seen. I am taken seriously. I am not just a patient, but a human being.

What my support can offer

Through contacts with doctors who also perceive people holistically, I offer, in consultation, a combination of medical advice and appreciative care for the person in their individual being.

Specifically, this means: the person I support learns to recognise exhaustion and overload early and to prevent them, instead of only reacting when the body goes on strike.

They can gain more energy and joy in life because they better understand and live their own rhythm in nutrition, sleep, breaks and limits.

They receive clear structure and orientation through practical individual support, including on topics such as living wills, lasting powers of attorney and everyday routines that really suit them.

Instead of only treating symptoms, I support people in recognising causes and implementing changes on their own responsibility. As a result, health crises can become less frequent or much milder.

My aim is for people to feel seen, valued and strengthened – not as a “patient”, but as a whole person in their individual situation.

I attach great importance to creating conditions so that illness does not arise in the first place, as far as possible, and health can be maintained on one’s own responsibility.

Support in person, online or by phone

My support can also take place online by video call or by phone. By arrangement, support together with my daughter and my dog is also possible.

In accordance with trade regulations, the exchange of value takes place in money. At the same time, I look forward to a time in which we value each other more on the basis of a gift economy.

My support is offered in German.

These posts also fit (in German):

• Schenkökonomie – Das „Finanzsystem“ der Natur (gift economy – nature’s “financial system”)
• Was ist Autarkie im Sozialbereich? (what is self-sufficiency in the social sector?)

More posts by me

Holistische Gesundheitspflege: den Menschen ganz sehen

Vorsorge-Planung schafft innere Ruhe

Ganzheitliche Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege

Legal framework

Activities in the health sector are strictly regulated by law. That is why it is important to me to state the framework of my offering clearly. In this regard I refer to the applicable legal texts of the Austrian Health and Nursing Care Act (GuKG), in particular § 14 GuKG on core nursing competences. Particularly relevant are:

Point 7: promoting health literacy, health promotion and prevention Point 17: psychosocial care in health and nursing care

Individual support for more quality of life and self-determination

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