According to the National Council on Aging, up to 80% of older adults in the United States have one or more diagnosed chronic disease People with chronic diseases who learn how to manage their symptoms can improve their quality of life and reduce their health care costs. This article will help you assist a loved one who has a chronic disease. Ask your loved one’s physician for information about the diagnosis, the impact it may have on the patient’s day to day life, the treatment options and their implications, and self-care instructions. Be aware that when your loved one is first diagnosed with an illness it may be difficult for them to take in all this information. If your loved one has problems with vision, hearing, or memory and cognition, it may be even more difficult for them to understand the implications of the diagnosis. An advocate, such as a Care is There Lifestyle Coordinator or a family member, is very important in these situations. The doctor will offer treatment options and should explain the implications of each option. The appropriate choice for your loved one will depend on their goals for their life, and their choice may not be the same as the choice you might make. It’s important to clearly understand your loved one’s preferences and to help them manage their disease in accordance with their goals. The treatment plan may including taking new medications; monitoring weight or vital signs; having periodic medical tests and appointments; or watching for specific symptoms.. Often, chronic disease necessitates a lifestyle change, such as adopting a different diet, changing activity levels, or using medical equipment. Change is difficult, and your loved one may need support to integrate the change into their life. Local departments of health or Area Agencies on Aging sometimes offer programs teaching techniques for making such changes and ways to handle the feelings that typically accompany living with chronic disease. One such program is the Chronic Disease Self Management Program, which was designed by Stanford University and is supported by the National Council on Aging. Often, disease-specific support groups are available. Once your loved one has chosen a treatment plan, help them identify their next steps to implement the plan and what supports would be helpful. For example: Ask the doctor how to recognize the warning signs that your loved one’s condition is worsening, and what you should do to respond. Find out at what point you should you take certain self-care steps, or schedule a doctor’s appointment, or call for emergency responders such as an ambulance. If you live at a distance from your loved one, if it is difficult for you to leave your workplace or your family to assist your loved one, if your loved one needs help but won’t accept it from you, or if your client with a chronic disease needs more assistance than you can provide through your profession, Care is There Geriatric Care Management can help! We can:Understand the Disease and Its Impact
Learn Your Loved One’s Goals for Living with the Chronic Condition
Understand the Treatment Plan and Its Implications
Develop a Chronic Disease Self-Management Plan and Identify Helpful Supports
Ask the Doctor How to Recognize and Respond to Warning Signs
How Care is There can help:
Resources for chronic disease:
Next Steps
Does your older loved one need help managing a chronic condition? Have complications from a condition impacted quality of life or caused emergencies?
Use this HTML:
Contact Care is There today for a free consultation!
Central Virginia: 434.326.5323
Toll Free: 800.434.1633
Email: Info@CareisThere.com
Related Articles
- NCOA - National Council on Aging
- NIH National Institutes of Health
- How to Be an Effective Advocate for Your Elderly Loved One
- How to Advocate at Medical Appointments for Your Elderly Loved One
- Making a Plan for Successful Aging in Your Own Home
- Create Your Plan for Extended Care
- Urinary Incontinence – Causes and Tips
- Bowel Incontinence – Causes and Tips