Chronic Conditions and Aging at Home

Chronic diseases can have a profound impact on the health and quality of life of elder Americans, not to mention the financial burden that is often associated with long-term illness. But specialists in gerontology and the emerging field of anti-aging medicine are quick to point out that while the risk of disease and disability undoubtedly can increase with advancing years, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging.

Preventing Chronic Diseases

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) a lot of the sickness, disability, and even death associated with chronic disease can be avoided through preventive measures. The CDC suggests lessening the possibility of the onset of chronic disease in later years by:

• Practicing a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular exercise and avoiding tobacco use.
• Regular use of early detection and testing such as breast, prostate and cervical cancer screenings, diabetes and cholesterol screenings, bone density scans, etc.

Most Common Chronic Conditions of the Elderly

All too often, because there are so many chronic conditions that seem to afflict older persons, there is the mistaken perception that diabetes, arthritis and the like, are just “part of growing old” — and nothing can be done about them. The truth is most of these diseases and conditions are treatable and should be addressed by a physician.

According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the most common chronic diseases afflicting the elderly are:

• Adult-onset diabetes
• Arthritis
• Kidney and bladder problems
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Glaucoma
• Lung disease
• Cataracts
• Osteoporosis
• Enlarged prostate
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Macular degeneration
• Depression
• Cardiovascular disease

Caring for Elderly with Chronic Conditions

If your parents are diagnosed with any of these or other illnesses, the best thing you can do is to educate yourself about how you can best help them. Usually, when an older person is diagnosed with a chronic condition, there is an immediate feeling of facing a loss of freedom and autonomy, a sense that his or her days of living independently at home are numbered. This fear may actually make your aging parents refuse to seek help.

Experts agree that one of the most practical ways an adult child can help parents facing a chronic illness is by providing information about available resources to enhance their independence and quality of life.

All the major chronic conditions listed in this article have an associated foundation or association with information that can help your parent to live with his or her condition. Providing these resources is one of the most important gifts you can give to your aging parent.

“A lot of the sickness, disability and even death associated with chronic disease can be avoided through preventive measures.” — Centers for Disease Control

There are also many companies that are dedicated to manufacturing and distributing products specifically made to help people “age at home” including:

• Reachers — lobster claw-like devices for people with arthritis or other muscle or joint conditions that make bending or reaching difficult.

• Shower chairs and bath benches and hand-held shower heads for bathing.

• Elevated toilet seats.

• Automatic lifts for stairwells, beds, and chairs.

• Talking clocks, wristwatches, and calculators for people with poor vision.

Helping a parent with a chronic condition maintain his or her lifestyle can be a challenge, but by providing information about resources and other help available you can take comfort in the knowledge that you are doing what you can to support your parent’s needs and wishes.

Reprinted from Parentgiving.com.

Broad Street Can Help

We provide Personal Home Care Services backed by a team who can assist with the activities of daily living, help manage medication, doctor visits and overall health care and awareness. We specialize in home care for chronic conditions. Through our Professional Network, we can help you find the right resources like advocates and care managers. We provide home care in Wilmette, Illinois, the North Shore area of Chicago. For more information, please call 847.728.0134.