In Virginia Henderson's philosophy, what is stated as essential for maintaining health?

Virginia Henderson's philosophy emphasizes the importance of a supportive environment as essential for maintaining health. She believed that nursing should focus on creating conditions that allow individuals to live as independently as possible while promoting a sense of well-being. This supportive environment encompasses not only physical aspects, such as safety and comfort, but also emotional and social dimensions, which are crucial for healing and overall health.

Henderson’s definition of nursing includes assisting individuals to gain independence and meet their own needs, which is fundamentally tied to the quality of their environment. A supportive environment provides the necessary resources, emotional support, and physical surroundings that encourage health and recovery, making it a cornerstone of her philosophical approach to nursing. It's through this nurturing environment that patients can thrive and take charge of their health, reflecting Henderson's view of the individual as a whole being with various interconnected components.