Chronic illnesses can have a significant impact on the quality of life and ability of an individual. Defined as conditions that last a year or longer, require ongoing medical attention, or limit daily activity of an individual, chronic illness is often very difficult to live with. An individual of any age can experience such illness, but our seniors are often at higher risk and have a harder time managing it.

Common examples of chronic disease are asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and alzheimers. Being diagnosed with a chronic condition puts a lot of stress not only on the individual diagnosed, but their loved ones and close friends as well. It often affects those around the individual, requiring help and more attention from those close. It is also common that the diagnosed individual experiences feelings of frustration, impatience, helplessness, and desperation as they learn what new limitations and boundaries they are affected by.

However, it is not impossible to manage a chronic disease, so it is not all hopeless. Learning more about what challenges they face and what you can do to help someone suffering from a chronic condition will help you make not just their life easier, but yours as well. Learning the needs of our elderly will make caring for them a much less overwhelming experience.

Without an understanding of their challenges, both you and they will feel frustrated.  Understanding what an individual is going through is the first step in helping them manage a chronic disease. There are a variety of challenges that come with chronic disease management, and may vary depending on the condition. Common obstacles that a patient will face include:

Immobility or physical inability. Some seniors, such as ones suffering from heart conditions or other illnesses, will lack the ability to get from place to place by themselves, or reach their arms to the top shelf, or get themselves ready to use the bathroom. Their daily life and basic tasks all become restricted, and their enjoyment of normal activities with family and friends is affected. Learning a new way of life is one of the biggest challenges someone diagnosed with a chronic disease suffers, affecting almost half of them.

Medication and Treatment Management. Something that many seniors experience is forgetfulness, and they often need help remembering when to take their medications, and which medications to take. Scheduling or assisting with medication typically becomes the responsibility of the caretaker. Additionally, getting them to and from care, and ensuring their care needs are covered, can take a lot of figuring out. Ensuring that your loved one is on a Medicare plan that covers their needs will help both you and the patient exponentially. Some providers, such as Zing Health, specialize in Medicare Plans focused on Chronic Conditions.

Pain and Fatigue. These symptoms can become a part of every single day for someone diagnosed with a chronic disease. For example, someone with a heart condition can have regular chest pains, or a pacemaker put in that can feel like a kick in the chest when activated. It is very normal for someone experiencing regular pain to feel frustrated and emotional.

For most seniors that have a chronic illness, social support, especially from a friend or family member, can alleviate stress & depression, which has a positive impact on the health of the patient. You being there to support them benefits them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some of the ways you can support your loved ones suffering from a chronic disease include:

Listening. This may sound obvious, but it is the most beneficial things you can do for your loved ones. You and their doctors may have opinions and recommendations for them, but ask them what they need. Allowing them to be open and share their needs offers significant emotional support.

Helping with healthy habits. If it is hard for them to move on their own, cook their own food, or otherwise unable to make healthy choices on their own, your help with this can positively influence their symptoms and treatment. Eating healthy, getting exercise, and restricting smoking and drinking can all improve the quality of life of someone experiencing chronic conditions.

Learning about the condition. Whatever their condition, there will be ways to ease the symptoms and offer comfort. For example, someone with arthritis can feel temporary relief with a massage, heat or cold, wrist or knee braces, and more. Learning to provide these things can be both physical relief, and emotional as you show them you care.

Taking breaks. it is likely that they do not need you 24/7, and even if they do require around-the-clock care, you can often find 30 minutes or more in a day. This amount of stress can put strain on a relationship. Emotions can get high. If you ever find yourself burnt out, or in need of a break, it is okay to take one. This will help both you and them.

Every case of chronic disease management will be different, and if you have any questions or need any advice, you can always speak with the patient’s doctor. You being there for them will make the biggest difference in their health.