Being diagnosed with a life-long, chronic illness is not easy. Following your initial diagnosis, you may experience different emotions – you may feel shocked, anxious, and confused. In order to effectively live with your chronic condition, Safe @ Home Senior Care offers the following tips.
As a concerned provider of senior care in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, we hope that these tips will be able to help you live well with a chronic condition.
Tip #1: Learn more about your condition.
Whether you were diagnosed with diabetes, a chronic respiratory disease, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, or some other form of chronic illness, knowing more about your diagnosis can help you manage it better. It may also help you accept your condition. To learn more about your condition, here are some things that you can do:
- Talk to your physician/healthcare provider. Ask them to explain your condition in as much detail as possible. Don’t hesitate to voice out your questions and concerns as well. Also, you can ask them for trustworthy websites that you can browse to learn more about your illness.
- Do your research. As mentioned, you can ask your physician for reliable websites. Utilize the power of modern technology and read up about your condition. Some reliable websites that you can browse include National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and MedlinePlus.
- Reach out to people with similar conditions. Consider joining a support group or find a social network. Reaching out and talking to people with similar conditions may help you better understand your condition and it may help you cope with your diagnosis.
Tip #2: Deal with your feelings.
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition doesn’t just affect you physically – it can affect you mentally and emotionally too. To live with your chronic condition, it is also important for you to deal with your feelings. For example, patients diagnosed with cancer may end up feeling confused, angry, or depressed. Remember taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Here are some tips to help you manage your feelings:
- Spend time with your loved ones. Surround yourself with your family and friends. Spending time with them may help you feel better. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and support from them as well.
- Try meditation. Take a few minutes to yourself daily. Relax and meditate. Try to get in touch with your feelings. This can help calm you down and better understand how you are feeling.
- Talk to a therapist. If you are feeling overwhelmed, consider talking to a professional. Just as you see your doctor to check on your physical health, you can talk to a mental health professional to know about your emotional well-being. There’s no shame in seeking professional help.
Living with a chronic condition can be challenging, but it can be managed. If you need help, Safe @ Home Senior Care is home care agency in Wisconsin that you can trust.