How to Take Care of a Parent Dealing With a Chronic Disease

For many people, the idea of caring for a parent who has a chronic disease is daunting. Knowing what kind of help your parents need and where to turn for support can be challenging. Balancing all these responsibilities with your health and well-being can also be difficult.

This becomes more concerning when you know that most elderly suffer from such conditions. A recent survey shows that 85% of the older generation has at least one chronic illness in the US.

The good news is that caring for your parent doesn’t have to be overwhelming! You will gain valuable insights by learning more about chronic diseases and how they affect older adults.

These insights will enable you to provide better physical and emotional care for your parents. With the right tools at hand, taking on this role can be rewarding as well as fulfilling.

Understanding Chronic Diseases

A chronic disease is an illness that continues for an extended period. The most common chronic diseases include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

The symptoms of a chronic illness can vary depending on what it is and how advanced it is in its progression. However, some general signs may indicate they have one:

• Changes in energy level
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Difficulty sleeping or feeling tired during the day

Many people in their 60s and older have chronic diseases because of more significant obesity. According to Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, those born between 1946 and 1964 are called baby boomers.

Baby boomers are having a longer life than their previous generation. That’s because they consume less tobacco or smoke. However, they have a higher obesity rate than the previous generation.

This obesity is associated with chronic health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Providing Physical Care

The first step in caring for your ageing parent with a chronic condition is offering physical care and help. Here are some ways to provide physical care:

• Exercise: Your parents need to get enough exercise, but this may be difficult if they have a chronic disease or disability. If you can help them get the training they need, it will improve their health and make them feel better.

• Healthy food choices: Your parents should aim for a balanced diet with healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
They should also avoid excessive amounts of salt and sugar. These can increase blood pressure over time, further complicating health issues.

• Doctor visits/medication management assistance: Many people can manage their medications independently. However, some individuals find it difficult due to physical limitations or mental impairments.

At least one in four adults faces a mental disorder such as dementia or anxiety disorder. You must help them with doctor visits and medication management in such cases. Only taking medication with the proper administration can help manage their health.

Hiring a Nurse for Home Care

Hiring a nurse for home care is an excellent way to help your parent feel more independent. Nurses are trained to assist with various tasks, such as medication management and wound care. They can also assist with hygiene and mobility if necessary.

One thing to consider before hiring home care services is the cost. The monthly median cost for at-home care services ranges between $4,957-$5,148. The prices may make you question, “Should you become a nurse yourself?”

If you have the right educational background, you can enrol in an online class and become a nurse yourself. But if you don’t have the proper education, hiring a professional nurse for home care is best.

The good thing is that the demand for nurses is increasing. Hence, many students are opting to choose a career in this field due to the growing demand. This can prove helpful, as there are very few physicians to help every individual facing health problems. Nurses can take their place and help make healthcare more accessible to everyone.

There are many benefits to hiring a nurse from home care agencies:

• Nurses have experience working with people who have chronic diseases like diabetes or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They’ll know how best to care for your loved one’s health needs while respecting their privacy and independence.
• Many agencies provide flexible schedules to accommodate your needs. You can seek caregivers willing to adjust their hours, such as coming in early in the morning before work.

Building a Support Network

When caring for a parent with a chronic disease, it’s essential to surround yourself with people who can help. The more support you have, the better able you’ll be to deal with this challenging situation.

• Family: Your family members may not always be around when you need them most. However, they are an invaluable source of emotional support and can provide practical assistance.
• Friends: It’s essential to cultivate relationships beyond your immediate family, ensuring that other individuals genuinely care about the events in your life. This extends beyond your parents or spouse, creating a broader support network.
• Neighbours: A good neighbour will watch out for your parent if he or she leaves her house unsupervised by family members. They might also notice signs of illness or decline before anyone else does and intervene if necessary by calling 911 immediately.
• Community resources: Organizations like Meals on Wheels offer meal services for individuals who can no longer prepare food. This need often arises due to reduced mobility caused by illness or injury. These services are usually offered free of charge, depending on where one lives.

Emotional Support

Understanding the emotional challenges of caring for a chronically ill parent is essential. As you care for your parent, losing sight of yourself and your needs can be easy. It’s important to take time out for yourself so that you don’t get burned out or become resentful toward your parent.

Encourage your parent not only physically but also emotionally, too! If they are feeling down about their illness, try communicating with them and listen carefully when they respond. This way, they’ll realize they have someone who genuinely cares about them and desires their long-term well-being.

This support will be based on genuine concern rather than viewing them as an obligation or burden within the family unit.

You can also promote positive thoughts by discussing beneficial topics like exercise routines.

Additionally, consider mentioning diet changes that might improve overall health outcomes.

Balancing Your Well-being

Besides offering care for your parent with chronic illness, taking care of yourself is vital. Here are some tips for balancing your well-being and caring for your parents.

• Talk to a professional. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the situation and need some advice, it’s OK to seek help from a therapist or counselor. They can help you sort through your feelings, identify issues contributing to your stress levels, and offer coping strategies.
• Get support from friends and family members who know what you’re going through. They might have some helpful insights about how best to support your parents.
• Take time for yourself! It’s easy for caregivers of chronically ill loved ones to get caught up in caring for everyone else before they care for themselves. However, this is important because otherwise, you risk burning out or becoming ill yourselves. This can deteriorate your health and make your parents worried for you.

Financial and Legal Considerations

Financial and legal considerations are vital to caring for your chronically ill parents. For example, if you don’t have some amount saved for medical expenses and medications, you won’t be able to take good care.

• Managing money: If your parent has a chronic disease, he or she may need to adjust their spending habits. The first step is to talk about what’s going on and how it’s affecting his or her finances. You can also help by monitoring bills and getting them paid on time, if possible.
• Handling legal matters: If your parent has been diagnosed with a chronic illness, it’s crucial to be aware of the legal documents that have been signed. For instance, at least 45% of US adults today have a living will. This proactive approach is essential to avoid any unexpected issues in the future, mainly concerning matters like wills and estate planning.
• Planning for the future: Caring for someone diagnosed with a chronic disease can be physically and emotionally exhausting. This is why planning is so important!

Conclusion

We hope you now understand better how to care for a parent with a chronic disease. Remember that this is not an easy journey, but one that will require both patience and perseverance from everyone involved.

However, it is not something to be stressed about. You can seek several external sources of help to offer the best care for your parents.