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According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), almost half of all adults have a chronic disease or condition. These include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, arthritis, and even obesity.
Many of these conditions can be improved with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. But when that’s not enough to relieve the pain and loss of independence that often accompanies these conditions, Fedelta’s in-home caregivers can provide relief to families dealing with such issues as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, Multiple Sclerosis and diabetes, among others.
For those who are living with a chronic disease, here are some lifestyle tips that may help:
Many people with spouses and/or children often put their needs above their own. But for people suffering from a chronic condition, it’s important to take care of yourself first. A flight attendant will instruct you to put your mask on before assisting others. The same advice applies here. Take care of yourself so you will be better able to participate in the lives of your family.
Let others know what frustrations, fears and concerns you’re facing. First, bottling up your emotions can cause further health consequences, according to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Rochester. Second, sharing your feelings with family and friends will allow them the opportunity to provide meaningful assistance.
Mindful meditation has been shown to help in pain reduction and even reducing the risk of death, heart attack and stroke in heart patients. For many people, meditation produces a trance-like state, which allows your body to relax, a condition highly conducive to cell regeneration, blood flow and heart rate. This relaxed state allows the blood to do its work, cleansing the body of pathogens, which can be responsible for many chronic conditions.
Positive thinking doesn’t mean you ignore the challenges you’re facing – it simply means you approach those challenges in a more productive and positive way. For instance, if you get a devastating diagnosis, start planning now for ways that changes now can provide a better outlook down the road. Taking an active part in creating a better future will prove more beneficial than giving up and accepting a life that is less than optimal. A study by the American Heart Association showed that heart patients with positive attitudes tended to live longer.
People who feel their life has meaning and purpose tend to be healthier and live longer than those who don’t. A study conducted in 2014 discovered that people who reported a greater sense of purpose in life were more likely to outlive their peers. One’s purpose could be as simple as making others happy to contributing to social change.
Finally, learn as much about your condition as you can. Fedelta has a wealth of resources to help you know more about living well even in the midst of a chronic condition. Our free series of booklets on “Living Well with Chronic Disease” are available on our website. You can find informationon Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Chronic Disease, Diabetes, and Heart Disease as well as End-of-Life Care.
Reprinted with permission. Copyright 2016, IlluminAge
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