Caring for Someone Living with a Chronic Disease
When someone receives a chronic illness diagnosis, the news affects both them and those closest to them.
Many chronic diseases, especially those considered progressive, can mean drastic changes in daily activities that may require the assistance of others. As the disease progresses, the need for support increases and changes in nature.
Supporting a family member or friend living with a chronic disease can take many forms, from providing assistance navigating through healthcare services, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their emotional and physical needs are met.
With all that caregiving involves, it’s not surprising that caring for someone with a chronic illness can pose emotional and physical challenges that often overwhelm caregivers.
Video: Caring for Someone Living with a Chronic Disease
Helpful Guidelines for Caring for a Loved One with a Chronic Disease
If you’ve become a full-time caregiver or are supporting a friend or family member who has a chronic disease, you may be feeling a little lost as to the best way to help.
The following guidelines offer some insight into making your journey as a caregiver more sustainable while improving the relationship between you and the person coping with the disease.
Learn to Listen and Be Present
Caregiving involves many responsibilities, which can sometimes interfere with our relationships. But remember, one of the most significant ways to help a loved one cope with their illness is by being present and listening to what they have to say.
Chronic illnesses impact not just the body, but also the mind of patients. For example, chronic disease patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety than healthy individuals.
It isn’t always easy to understand what others are feeling, but paying attention and truly listening can help you grasp if the other person is frustrated, depressed, in pain, happy, angry, or sad.
Positive communication has a significant impact on the caregiver-patient relationship. Train yourself to take a step back and listen without being judgemental and provide feedback only when you feel it’s needed. Sometimes all patients need is for someone to listen.
Learn as Much About the Disease as You Can
Knowledge is power! Ask physicians to share educational resources where you can learn about symptoms and disease progression. Learning will help you prepare for what lies ahead so you can cope with the physical and emotional challenges of being a caregiver.
Knowing what to expect can also prove valuable in recognizing disease progression and when to seek medical assistance.
Knowledge will empower you to become a better caregiver.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
When caring for someone coping with a chronic disease, you want to avoid appearing insensitive or dismissive. However, this should never stop you from asking important questions.
Asking a patient which is the best way to help them is a valuable question. Additionally, asking them about their mental state or physical and emotional needs is also essential.
Remind Them of How Valuable They Are
When your physical capacities diminish due to illness, it’s easy to lose your sense of self-worth. Reminding patients of how valuable they are as a person and the many ways they positively impact the lives of those around them, how unique they are, and how much they mean to you can help dispel negative emotions and increase self-esteem.
Asking a patient which is the best way to help them is a valuable question. Additionally, asking them about their mental state or physical and emotional needs is also essential.
Be Compassionate, Empathetic and Don’t Take Things Personally
Chronic disease patients will have good, bad, average, and awful days. Sometimes they will take out their pain, anger, and frustration on you, but you need to find a way to cope with this and try not to take it personally.
These are instances when asking the right questions can make all the difference. For example, ask the patient what would cheer them up, if they want to talk about what they are going through, or if they need time and space to process their emotions.
Remember to Take Care of Yourself
Being a caregiver for a chronic disease patient is an emotionally charged task that can also be physically demanding.
Caring for yourself is not a selfish act, it is, in fact, an act of love. Imagine what would happen to your loved one if you were to get sick and unable to care for them.
Make time every day to do something you enjoy, eat healthily, get enough sleep, and value yourself.
Altus Biologics honors all courageous caregivers who do their best to ensure their loved ones live their best life. To us, you are heroes.
