Aging is an inevitable part of life that comes with a greater risk of developing chronic illnesses. Managing these illnesses can be a difficult journey, especially for those who are also facing mobility and cognitive limitations. However, with the right strategies and support networks, seniors can navigate chronic illness with empathy and confidence. In this blog post, we will explore six key areas that can help seniors manage chronic conditions and maintain their quality of life.
As our parents age, navigating their chronic illness can be a difficult journey for both them and us. As adult children, we may find ourselves in the role of caregiver, going above and beyond to support our loved ones through the challenges of daily living. In this blog post, we will discuss strategies for managing chronic illness as a senior. We will offer insights that can help you and your aging parents manage daily life with empathy and confidence.
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1.Acknowledging the Reality of Chronic Conditions and Mobility Limitations.
The first step in navigating chronic illness is acknowledging its reality. This can involve recognizing the physical limitations and adjusting daily routines accordingly. It’s essential to know when to ask for help and seek medical advice when needed. It’s also crucial to communicate health limitations to friends and family to ensure that expectations are clearly defined and realistic.
This means accepting the limitations and making adjustments in daily routines and activities to accommodate them. Reach out to your aging parents to listen to their fears and concerns. Show empathy and offer support by exploring new ways to participate in the things they enjoy.
For example, there are many ways to still enjoy your favorite activities while being on chronic oxygen. One tip would be to check with your insurance or Medicare plan to see if they would pay for an oxygen “optimizer” which is a much smaller device that can used when outdoors or traveling. It is a smaller more portable concentrator. This would be something Your Nurse Advocate could help you look into and check for payment options.
Don’t be embarrassed by any modifications you may need. Our mom is 83 and very crippled with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She still wants to come on our annual family vacation each year up to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. We want her to still come and spend a week with her family. She has a scooter that someone needs to bring up that has a truck. She needs one of us with a downstairs bedroom in our cabin to allow her to have her own room. She cannot do stairs. She wants a ride on a boat and we have only one of our boats that can allow her to get in and out safely with a 2-person assist. We don’t mind. We will do what is necessary to allow her to continue to enjoy our annual fishing vacation for as long as possible!
2. Knowing When to Seek Help – Recognizing Warning Signs and Seeking Medical Advice
Recognizing warning signs and seeking medical advice is an essential step in managing chronic illness as a senior. Encourage open and honest communication with aging parents. Regular doctor visits, screenings, and lab work can monitor the progression of their condition and identify potential complications.
Make sure your family and friends are aware of any warning signs such as signs of low blood sugar or extremely high blood sugar. Another example could be if you have chronic atrial fibrillation and you have had episodes of uncontrolled high heart rates, make sure the people close to you know the signs and symptoms you may have such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, etc.
Recognizing warning signs and knowing when to seek medical attention can be crucial in managing chronic illnesses. Seniors must be aware of the key symptoms that may indicate that their condition is worsening or requiring medical attention. This is a time where it’s important to have a network of healthcare providers who are experienced in managing chronic illnesses to assist with potential flare-ups.
3. Ways to be Proactive in Managing Symptoms and Treatments – Self-Care Techniques, Physical Therapy, and Other Lifestyle Changes
Being proactive in managing symptoms and treatments is critical when managing chronic illness as a senior. Encourage your parents to take charge of their self-care techniques, such as stretching or meditation, to help improve their condition. Physical therapy and other lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, regular sleep patterns, and managing chronic pain can also significantly help improve their overall health.
Sometimes it takes trying different treatment modalities to find something that works. Another family example of this is my mother-in-law’s chronic pain. She has inoperable cysts on her lower spine that are pressing on a nerve that causes her severe pain when she stands or walks. We tried physical therapy, dry needling, chiropractor, deep tissues manipulation, lidocaine patches, heat, ice, and now finally she is getting relief with the use of a medication called Cymbalta and CBD oil. This example isn’t to share options you need to try, it is just an example of not giving up until you find something that works to help manage your chronic symptoms. Work with your healthcare team and possibly a nurse advocate to help you understand all of your options and so you can make an informed decision on treatment choices.
4. How to Navigate Family Dynamics – Communicating Needs, Setting Boundaries, and Finding Support Networks
Navigating family dynamics can be challenging as chronic illness can place a great deal of stress on personal relationships. Communicate strategies and acknowledge the limitations that come with chronic illness. Be sensitive to the needs of your aging parents and set boundaries to avoid overtaxing yourself. Finding support networks, such as support groups or a home health aide, can also provide essential assistance and reduce stress for you and your aging parents. If you are looking for an in-home caregiver, we have checklists to help you choose the right one. As nurse advocates, we can also help identify the appropriate resources as well as caregiver options.
It can be challenging for seniors living away from family members to navigate family dynamics in times of chronic illness. It’s important to communicate needs and set realistic expectations of what is possible and what is not when it comes to daily life and health care outcomes. Support networks can also be a great resource during difficult times and can include friends, home care professionals, and support groups. There are free programs out there to help bring together a support care team. One such option is the Share the Care Program. We also will include a recent blog post article on “Building a Support Care Team.”
It can be challenging for seniors living away from family members to navigate family dynamics in times of chronic illness. It’s important to communicate needs and set realistic expectations of what is possible and what is not when it comes to daily life and health care outcomes.
5. Avoiding Burnout- Planning Time for Yourself, Seeking Out Alternative Therapies, Delegating Tasks When Possible
Caring for aging parents can be overwhelming and demanding at times as well as stressful responsibility and can lead to burnout. Plan time for yourself, seek out alternative therapies, and delegate tasks when possible. It is essential to elicit support from friends and family to help you manage the demands of caregiving while continuing to care for yourself. Even out of town siblings can help in managing the care of your aging parents. A lot of coordination can be completed by phone or by having access to the online portal at your parent’s clinic such as “My Chart.”
It is critical that caregivers take the time to prioritize their own well-being, which may include seeking alternative therapies or taking a break when needed, getting involved in support groups which offer a space for emotional support, and delegating tasks to others where possible or plan for a “respite” stay for your aging parent(s).
Get connected with a support group. For example, we have a free online support community for “Speaking Out on the Care of Your Aging Parent” here people discuss what their experiences are and you get to talk with people going through the same issues as you with some expert tips and strategies shared from us at Your Nurse Advocate Consulting.
6. Understanding Your Rights as a Patient – Knowing What Resources Are Available to You (e.g., Insurance Coverage) and Advocating for Yourself When Necessary
Although navigating the medical system can be challenging for seniors, understanding their rights as patients could be instrumental in ensuring their care is of the highest quality. This can involve learning about insurance coverage options, understanding how to communicate effectively and bring up difficulties with care providers, and being informed about how to advocate for better care for themselves.
When necessary, advocate for yourself to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Be prepared to ask questions and seek clarification from medical professionals to get the care you and your aging parents deserve.
This is our specialty, helping you and your family navigate the healthcare system. From a little support and education for the “do it yourself family” or the “do it alongside” option or lastly for those that just want to have someone “do it for you”, we have the right type of help for you and your loved ones. We encourage you to book a free 30-minute no sale discovery call where we listen to your unique needs, give you 2-3 strategies to help, and then you decide what the next step would be. It might be signing up for our free weekly newsletter or free forum, or taking one of our courses, or hiring us as a consultant to work on putting the plan together for your unique situation. You decide the next step if any at all!
Conclusion:
Navigating chronic illnesses can be a challenging journey, especially for seniors experiencing mobility limitations. Still, it is possible to develop strategies that enable them to manage their conditions with empathy and confidence. They can stay active, maintain healthy habits, develop support networks, and communicate their needs. By taking a proactive approach to their health and treatment, they can maintain their quality of life and live their best lives possible with chronic illness.
Managing chronic illness as a senior can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it can also be manageable and empowering. Remember to acknowledge the reality of chronic conditions, proactively manage symptoms and treatments, be sensitive to family dynamics, and seek support when needed. Lastly, take care of yourself as you care for your aging loved ones and understand your rights as a patient to receive the care you deserve. By following these strategies, you can help your aging parents navigate their chronic illness with empathy and confidence.
Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with us. We hope to see you back here soon!
Take care,
Pam and Linda
Your Nurse Advocates
Resources
Free Course: Understanding the Medical Terminology of Senior Care
https://www.ncoa.org/older-adults/health/physical-health/chronic-disease
