By |
Are you a senior or elder adult who has been diagnosed with a chronic condition? According to the National Council on Aging, almost 95% of all seniors aged 60 or older have at least one chronic condition, while almost 80% have two or more.1 It’s easy to wind up with more than one condition; for instance, heart disease goes hand-in-hand with high blood pressure, and diabetes can lead to kidney disease.
Autoimmune diseases can also be considered chronic, such as type 1 diabetes or lupus. In fact, about one in five Americans has been diagnosed with one of the more than 100 autoimmune diseases, according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association.2
Given those numbers, it isn’t any surprise to learn that treatment of chronic conditions accounts for a whopping 85% of total health care costs in the United States today, according to the University of Michigan School of Public Health.3 That number is expected to rise in the coming decades as the elderly population grows larger.
Once you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition, what can you expect?
One of the first things you need to do when diagnosed with a chronic illness is look for ways to find some peace of mind. A tough diagnosis can plunge your mind into fear and worry. In the early days, you may face a great deal of anxiety and wonder what comes next.
An alert system for elderly adults can calm some of those worries. If you ever need help for any reason, you can press the button on your medical alert device and get assistance right away from a live, trained professional at the monitoring center. They can ask questions to figure out what is going on, get the appropriate help headed your way, and stay on the line with you until that help arrives.
Here are other tips to help you through a new journey with chronic illness.
Keep a Record of Everything
Buy a thick binder and fill it with all the information you can get your hands on regarding the chronic condition you’ve been diagnosed with.
As you go through the information your doctor has provided, file it into the proper sections in your binder. This might include tabs for basic health information, explanations of the condition, lab work or blood test results, medications and their side effects, insurance information, next steps to treatment, and more.
Tailor the binder to your condition and keep it as organized as possible. Keep a list of questions on the front of the binder, for easy access during medical appointments.
Get a Second Opinion
It’s advisable to get a second opinion whenever you are diagnosed with something serious. You might even want to get a third opinion if the first two doctors aren’t in agreement. In some cases, your doctor will strongly encourage you to get a second opinion, especially if there are several potential treatment options for your condition to choose from.
Some chronic conditions have been well-researched and the guidelines on how to handle them are very clear. For instance, countless studies on diabetes have resulted in clear treatments and routines that can keep the disease under solid control. But some others, like long COVID, are emerging conditions that have no clear treatment plans yet.
Many with chronic conditions find that their treatment is often a matter of trial and error; if one medication doesn’t work, maybe another one will.
However, beware of listening to “Doctor Google.” While it is very important to look for information on your own and research treatments and such, it is equally important to find reputable sources. These are usually denoted with a “.gov” website address or an official organization or association.
Expect Strong Emotions
When you’re diagnosed with something serious, expect to go through the stages of grief. Your future has suddenly changed and looks different than it did just a few months ago. You might have to learn a new way of living, and that can be a tough adjustment to make. Allow yourself the space and time to grieve the changes you’ve been handed.
You might suffer from a low mood or depression in the weeks or months following your diagnosis. This is perfectly normal and fully expected. It can be helpful to talk about what you’re going through, especially if you can talk with someone who has already walked this particular path. Support groups for all sorts of conditions are in your area; these groups often meet at health care centers, senior centers, libraries, and even local schools. And of course, professional counseling is always an option.
Learn How to Manage Your Condition
Your doctor can provide you with a wealth of information and can get you started on treatment, but there will be things you need to do on your own to feel better or improve. Make sure to take your medication exactly as directed. If you notice bothersome side effects, talk to your doctor about them – don’t stop taking the medication until you get the green light to switch to something else.
In addition, look into home remedies that can ease symptoms and possibly help keep your condition under control. Talk to your doctor before you attempt anything that might interact with your prescription medication.
Lifestyle changes might also be recommended. For instance, those who have diabetes will need to follow a particular diet and get a minimum amount of exercise in addition to the intricacies of medical treatment. Those who have lupus will need to get more sleep and pace themselves to avoid “flare-ups” of the condition. Those who have arthritis might need to engage in stretching exercises that help preserve their range of motion.
No matter what chronic condition you have, some things are universal for better health, such as getting enough sleep, staying well-hydrated, wearing an emergency button alarm, and reducing stress.
Look Realistically at What Comes Next
Depending upon the chronic condition you’ve been diagnosed with, life might change only a little, or it might change radically. Take an objective look at what day-to-day living will be like with that particular chronic illness and begin planning accordingly.
For some, this will be very simple and straightforward. If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, a single pill taken once a day and regular monitoring might be all you need to keep the condition under great control for the rest of your life.
But if you have a form of cancer, eventually you might need to make some tough decisions about treatment options.
Have a frank discussion with family members, especially those who might become caregivers, about the condition you have and what to expect in the weeks, months, and years to come. Don’t downplay the seriousness of the condition, and stay realistic about what they can do to assist you on the journey to staying as healthy as possible.
Take Steps to Stay Safe
There is often a feeling of powerlessness when illness strikes. There are, however, some things you can control. Take the steps to stay safe and healthy in your day-to-day life.
A medical alert pendant can be a great way to ensure that if you suffer a fall or other medical emergency, you can get help right away. Look into home modifications that can make your abode much safer, such as a higher toilet seat or sturdy handrails along every staircase. A medication organizer, reminder, and dispenser can help you keep track of the medications you need to take to treat your condition. Keep your medications written down in the aforementioned binder and double-check them with the doctor every time you see them.
As you enter into this season of life, now is the time to extend yourself a healthy dose of grace. You have been handed a difficult situation. Rather than focus on the past and what might have changed things, it’s important to focus on the present – dealing with the condition right now, just as it is – and the future, and how it might look as you get your condition under control and work to stay healthy. Alert1 wishes you peace and comfort as you journey towards better health.
