Finding Community with Chronic Disease
Navigating through life with a chronic disease can be challenging and scary. But you don’t have to deal with it alone.
The benefits of patients actively engaging in their disease management are evident. However, chronic illness management (CIM) is not limited to one individual, but involves a collective process where the contributions of social and support networks can significantly improve disease and treatment outcomes.
Social and Support Networks
Although similar, there are striking differences between a social network and a support network.
Social Network:
A social network involves friends, family, and co-workers. These are people you can lean on for daily emotional and physical support. They help deal with the stress of living with a chronic disease and help you with everyday tasks or provide economic support.
Support Networks:
These groups are generally more structured with a leader or health professional conducting meetings. Having access to a support network provides you with educational resources and a chance to speak with others who have similar conditions.
Support networks are invaluable to chronic disease patients, as they provide the opportunity to ask questions and receive helpful advice from patients who have already experienced what you are going through.
Benefits of Finding Community with Chronic Disease
Building a solid social network and having access to support networks is critical to help you navigate the different challenges of your chronic illness. The lack of social and support networks can increase the likelihood of developing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Developing a sense of community can play a critical role in how effectively you can self-manage your illness. In addition, these groups are often an excellent educational resource that can help you make better informed decisions.
Social and support networks can help:
- Reduce the psychological and physiological effects of stress
- Enhance immune function
- Expand doctor-patient communication
- Improve disease outcomes
- Increase treatment compliance
- Create a better patient experience
Support networks provide chronic disease patients with a sense of belonging, security, and community.
Finding Physical and Online Communities for Your Chronic Disease
The best way to find a chronic disease support network is to speak with your doctor. They may have recommendations of local support groups where you can meet other chronic disease patients and build a strong community close to home.
Alternatively, your doctor may offer online support groups you can engage in without having to leave your home.
Here we provide a few well-known support networks for different chronic conditions:
Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Live Yes! Connect Group – A resource provided by the Arthritis Foundation. The group is open to both patients and caregivers and offers virtual supportive connections.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Find local support groups through the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundations online search tool.
Asthma
Use the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America group search tool to find a support network near you.
Living with a chronic illness is hard, but you are not alone. Speak to your doctor about your interest in joining a support group in your area and enjoy being part of a vibrant community that has much to offer.
