As you get older, so do the health conditions that come with it. For millions of seniors, living with a chronic condition can be a debilitating and frustrating experience. But with the right support and strategies, it is possible to manage these conditions and still live a life you love. Learn how to manage chronic conditions for seniors and get the support you need.
1. Living With Chronic Illness: A Senior’s Perspective
1. Reframing Chronic Illness as Opportunity
Living with chronic illness as a senior can become a daunting task. However, rather than seeing the chronic condition of your life as an unchangeable obstacle, try to reframe it as an incentive to make changes in your life and develop improved habits. One helpful change can be starting new activities, like joining a seniors’ support group or taking up yoga. This not only provides a much needed distraction, it can also be an opportunity to gain additional support from others.
2. Rediscovering Old Hobbies
If spending time with friends in a support group doesn’t interest you, now is a great time to rediscover old hobbies you may have put in the back burner due to your chronic illness. Whether it’s crafting jewelry, writing, playing music, or gardening, make sure to find something that gives you joy. Making something with your own two hands can be very therapeutic and can help energize both your physical and mental health.
3. Finding New Ways to Relax
Living with a chronic illness also means managing stress. An important part of achieving a healthy lifestyle is to be able to de-stress when needed. This can be done by listening to music, reading a book, or taking a bath. It’s important to take time for yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes every day.
4. Making Diet Adaptations
Diet is central to the play when talking about managing chronic illnesses. One helpful way to find food that caters to your chronic condition is to look for nutrient-packed alternatives. To give you an example, if you are gluten sensitive, how about finding yams or other gluten-free grains as sustenance? It can also help to keep a food journal to keep track of the reaction you have to certain foods.
5. Seeking Professional Help When Necessary
No one is expected to handle a chronic condition alone. A part of living with chronic illness is understanding when it’s necessary to approach a health specialist for professional help. Don’t be scared to ask for assistance if you feel like it’s needed; your doctor knows you best, after all!
6. Making Life Extraordinary: Finding Joy Despite Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness doesn’t mean you can no longer chase after the things that make you feel alive. Find ways to make the most out of life despite having a chronic illness. If achievable, try joining a class, start travelling or volunteering in your local community. It can also help to write a list of achievable goals and keep checking them off the list, one by one – this can provide a great sense of accomplishment.
At the end of the day, taking the time to reframe your chronic illness and finding ways to power through it can be an incredible opportunity to live life to the fullest!
2. Making Small Changes to Ease Chronic Pain
Light Exercise
People living with chronic pain can benefit from light exercise. Exercises like walking, gardening, stretching, or yoga can help by keeping the body flexible and improving circulation. Additionally, exercise releases endorphins, which helps reduce pain. Be sure the exercises are not too strenuous and consult a doctor before starting any exercises.
Adjust Your Posture
It is important to become aware of your posture throughout the day. Sitting too long or in an incorrect position can exacerbate chronic pain. To adjust your posture, begin by keeping your feet flat on the floor, with your back straight and shoulders pulled back. Additionally, you can invest in a chair with lumbar support, which is designed for chronic pain sufferers.
Pain Management Techniques
Certain pain management techniques can help reduce the intensity of chronic pain. This may include:
- Deep breathing/meditation
- Massage therapy
- Relaxation techniques
- Hot/cold therapy
These techniques can be effective for relaxation, improving the blood circulation, and suppressing pain. Make sure to discuss with your doctor any pain management techniques before trying them.
Staying Positive
Staying optimistic is important for managing chronic pain. It is not easy to think positively, but it can be done. Try to find a supportive group of people in the same situation, or focus on hobbies that bring you joy. Finding activities that help you stay connected to friends and family can make a huge difference and help carry you through the more difficult days.
3. Finding a Support System to Manage Chronic Conditions
Living with a chronic condition can be difficult and everyone has their own path of how to best manage it. But one of the keys to successfully doing so is to build a support system. With a reliable support system, you can make strides that you may not have thought possible.
- Research chronic condition support groups
One of the best things to do when building a support system is to join chronic condition support groups. It is always valuable to hear from other individuals who are also dealing with a chronic condition, as they may be able to offer helpful insight and even advice that you wouldn’t have received otherwise. Additionally, you may find that connecting with others in this manner can be a great way to get much-needed moral support.
- Consider alternative treatments
Exploring alternative treatments and natural remedies for your chronic condition may be beneficial to add to your support system. Learning about them and discussing them with your doctor can give you a good sense of the possible options available. Additionally, looking into natural remedies can allow you to take control of your health and make the lifestyle changes necessary to handle your chronic condition.
- Find a mentor
Another way to build a strong support system is to find a mentor. It can be helpful to hear from someone who has experience dealing with a chronic condition in different areas of life. This person may give you tips to handle different life situations, such as ways to bring up the topic at work or how to change your diet. Alternatively, they may even be able to help you look at the condition in a different light, which can be invaluable for long-term success.
- Surround yourself with love and understanding
Ultimately, it is important to surround yourself with the people who love you and will understand your situation. Having a strong support system of understanding friends and family can make your dealing with your chronic condition easier on you. These individuals can be invaluable for days filled with stress, pain, and fatigue.
4. Establishing Healthy Habits for Life with Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness can be incredibly overwhelming and frustrating. But no matter what condition you are dealing with, it’s important to establish healthy habits for life and manage your health. Here are four tips to help you stay healthy and focused:
- Get Moving: While it may seem counter-intuitive when you don’t have energy or feel overwhelmed, exercise is important for managing chronic illness. Regular activity helps improve physical and mental health, as well as boost pain tolerance. Even low impact activities like yoga, stretching, and walking can do wonders for aching muscles and tight joints.
- Keep Energized: When living with a chronic illness, it is important to keep energy levels up. Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods can help to keep your body well nourished and help maintain an energy balance. Avoid sugary or processed foods as these can cause an energy crash. Making sure you’re getting plenty of sleep is also key for energy levels.
- Manage Stress: Stress can worsen symptoms or even lead to flare-ups. People with chronic illnesses can benefit from taking a few moments each day to relax, focus on their breathing, and reduce their stress level. You can also reduce stress by establishing boundaries, talking to family or friends, setting aside time for self-care, and connecting to your community.
- Stay Positive: Living with chronic illness can take a toll on a person’s emotions, but it is important to find joy in life and focus on the positive. Make it a priority to build a supportive network of family and friends, manage stress with self-care activities, and try to maintain an optimistic outlook.
By taking the time to establish these healthy habits, many people living with chronic illness can gain more control over their lives and enjoy an improved quality of life. Of course, every person is different, so it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider when managing chronic conditions.
Living with a chronic condition can be difficult, especially for seniors. However, by taking the right steps and understanding what is available to them, seniors can gain the support and strategies they need to effectively manage their condition. With the right information, seniors can find comfort in the life they lead, even while dealing with the challenges of chronic illness.