There are a lot of reasons why helping your elderly loved one with chronic illness maintain a healthy and productive life is so difficult for a caregiver. It can be because many of those chronically ill have multiple health conditions that require constant monitoring and caring for. A client advocacy services team is a great asset to have as part of your loved one’s care.
You might find yourself with dozens of medications to manage, or multiple healthcare appointments to bring your loved one to each week. Chronic illness also brings added stress because there isn’t a happy ending in sight. Even with a dreaded cancer diagnosis, there is often a light at the end of the tunnel, but if your loved one has a chronic condition, there may never be relief. Many chronic conditions continue to deteriorate over time. As a caregiver, you try to provide positive support, but you might not be feeling positive about anything.
Four Tips for Caregivers When A Family Member is Chronically Ill
Caring for someone with a chronic condition is never easy, but there are some ways to find relief by making it more manageable.
Spend some time researching the condition(s) your loved one has so you feel comfortable with the lingo being used at doctor appointments and you have an understanding of what your loved one is struggling with. Just remember to stick with certified resources about the condition.
Ask questions. There are several people you should ask questions of – your loved one, other family members, and your loved one’s doctors. By asking questions and getting answers, you can save yourself the trouble of trying to guess what people are thinking or what they are talking about. Ask frank questions and be open to the answers provided.
Look for support resources. Many conditions have non-profit resources that can help you as you care for your loved one.
Take care of yourself. You need to provide time for yourself to rest, refuel, and recharge so that you can continue providing care for your elderly loved one. It may seem hard to step away for even an hour, but that break will allow you to care better when you return.
Being Okay With Not Being Able to Do it All
Your loved one trusts you to make the right decisions about his care, but you might not trust yourself. There are many variables to helping an elderly loved one who has a chronic illness, and normally you may not have the skills to manage every area of his health care.
A client advocacy services team, with their training and experience, will be able to step in and help you with areas you may not be comfortable with. A client advocacy professional can help you with coordinating services if your loved one has multiple conditions and/or physicians to meet with regularly.
A client advocacy services provider can also assist with the financial responsibilities that come with caring for someone with a chronic illness such as setting up payments, finding resources that will help reduce bills, and reviewing bills to ensure their accuracy.
You have a lot on your plate. Provide the best care for your loved one by doing what you do best, and leaving the rest to a professional.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Client Advocacy Services in Emmaus PA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Extended Family Care Allentown today. Call 610-432-6766
Extended Family Care Allentown is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania including Bethlehem, Easton, Emmaus, Macungie, Whitehall, Schnecksville, Catasauqua, Northampton, and Nazareth.
- Tips When Caring for Someone Who is Chronically Ill - February 10, 2025
- Honoring Our Team: Birthdays, Anniversaries, and New Additions! - January 24, 2025
- What Your Senior Parent Needs To Live Independently - January 23, 2025
