Examples of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are the physiological needs, such as oxygen, water, food, shelter, and rest, which are found at the bottom of the list and need to be fulfilled for a person to live. Above the physiological needs is the need to feel safe. In a healthcare environment, it is common for individuals to feel uncomfortable or unsafe; to prevent these feelings, all procedures should be explained thoroughly to the patient and any concerns need to be fully addressed. Next in the pyramid is the need for a sense of love and belonging, which is usually fulfilled by family, friends, as well as the team of healthcare providers. Patients should be encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings, and health care providers should listen to them carefully. In addition, a nurse could consider holding the person’s arm when interacting with them to show affection and empathy.
Moving higher in the pyramid is self-esteem, which is the sense of self-worth or self-respect. When a person loses the ability to take care of themselves, for example due to a neurological disorder such as Parkinson disease, they might lose their self-esteem. In this case, individuals should be encouraged to participate in their daily activities and personal care as much as tolerated as this can boost their self-esteem. Finally, the highest-level need is self-actualization, which is realizing one’s capabilities and achieving their full potential. In case of a disease or an accident, an individual might lose their previous fine motor skills and may feel discouraged when participating in daily and social activities. Health care providers can encourage them daily and help in maintaining a positive attitude as well as in accepting a new identity.
Carter, P. J. (2012). Lippincott’s textbook for nursing assistants: A humanistic approach to caregiving (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., & Ostendorf, W. (2013). Clinical nursing skills and techniques (8th ed.). Mosby.
