You're not alone if you have a chronic health condition — 78% of adults 55 and older have at least one chronic condition, and 47% have two or more. The percentages increase in older age groups. Taking action now to manage your chronic health conditions helps you maintain your independence as long as possible. Follow these tips to keep your body as healthy as you can.
Chronic conditions often call for interdisciplinary teams with specialists in addition to your primary care provider. People with multiple chronic conditions might work with several specialists. If you use prescription medications to control your conditions, having a trusted pharmacist you use regularly is also helpful.
Find caregivers you trust who work well together to ensure you receive consistent, high-quality care for your conditions. It's essential your team members communicate with one another to ensure all your conditions are managed properly.
You have health care providers who are the experts in your condition, but it's still important for you to understand it. Learning how the disease affects your body and how you can slow its progression makes it easier to maintain your independence. Ask questions during your doctor's visits and research on your own on reputable medical websites. Learn what's normal for the condition and what could indicate you're having complications or need medical attention.
Treatment for chronic conditions may include medication, therapy, lifestyle changes and other medical interventions. Following all the treatment protocols your medical provider prescribes can help keep your symptoms under control. Treatments also aim to slow the progression of chronic conditions. This lets you maintain as much of your mobility and physical health as possible, making it easier to remain independent.
Chronic conditions don't go away, and you often can't make all the symptoms disappear. Instead of focusing on the negative effects of the condition, put your energy into what you can control. For many chronic conditions, regular exercise, improved diet and a good sleep schedule help keep the symptoms under control. Staying active and rested also lets you maintain mobility and keeps you moving, which supports your independence.
Several tools and aids support you with medication management, mobility and other issues related to chronic conditions. Phone apps can provide medication reminders, track your pain and symptoms, record workouts and manage medical appointments. You can also use pill cases or pill dispensers so you don't forget to take your medications every day.
If your chronic condition affects your mobility, consider mobility aids to support your everyday activities. Braces, canes and walkers offer stability to help you move around better and stay steady on your feet. Reach and grab tools come in handy if your range of motion is limited.
Chronic conditions might manifest physically, but they often cause emotional and mental effects. Anxiety, stress and depression are common. You might feel alone or hopeless after your diagnosis. Reaching out to friends and family is an option, but they might not know how to support you if they haven't experienced the condition themselves. In that situation, joining a support group or seeing a therapist offers you targeted emotional support. When you join a support group, you connect with others who experience the same issues and may learn strategies that help you maintain your independence.
For many people, turning to God makes it easier to navigate a chronic health condition. Prayer allows you to talk directly to God about your condition and how you're feeling about it. Bible verses provide guidance and comfort in the face of challenging situations. Consider volunteering at church or joining a Bible study group to connect with others spiritually. Involvement in a church family also offers you a support network of people who pray for you and provide assistance when possible to help keep you independent.
If you have friends or family nearby, ask them to help in various ways. One option is asking them to accompany you to medical appointments to take notes and ask questions you might not consider. If you don't feel comfortable advocating for yourself, ask someone who's willing to speak up to talk on your behalf.
While you live at home, you might ask family or friends to check in on you regularly. They can run errands for you or help with tasks such as cleaning. If your chronic condition makes it difficult to drive, you might ask them for rides to appointments or for shopping trips.
Moving to a senior living community is often a good balance for older adults with chronic conditions. You maintain your independence, coming and going as you please and choosing how to spend your days. Senior living also eliminates many chores, such as cleaning, doing laundry and cooking, which can be difficult when you have a chronic condition. If you need extra help, you can transition to assisted living. There, the community's caregivers assist with your daily care tasks, medication management and mobility challenges.
