Operational definition Consequently, self-care is further defined as the ability to care for oneself through awareness, self-control and self-reliance in order to achieve, maintain, or promote optimal health and well-being. T1: Operational definition of self-care interventions for adults with chronic diseases. The variety of definitions of personal care, together with the broad and disparate activities that are part of self-care, can make definitions of this type difficult to manage for practical purposes. The WHO definition of self-care is the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote their own health, prevent diseases, maintain health and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.
The most recent definitions have included a focus on risk factors and the prevention of risk factors in areas such as personal injury and accidents. It depends on where in the world you live in terms of what the definition of self-care is for you and your society. These are literal definitions of personal care, but the reality is that that term means something different for each individual.