Chronic illnesses and conditions can be immensely difficult for both patients and their caregivers to manage — especially as symptoms progress. And when the hospitals and doctors say there’s not much more they can do for your loved one, you may feel stuck and wonder where you can turn.
If you’re a caregiver struggling to understand how you can care for your loved one with a chronic condition in the best way possible, we have a few tips that could help.
5 Tips for Caring for Someone with Chronic Illness
Caring for someone with a chronic condition is never easy, but there are some ways to make it more manageable. Here are five things you can do to take a little bit of the weight off your shoulders, so you have the capacity to provide the best care possible, while also being able to cherish the time spent and memories made with your loved one.
1. Learn About Your Loved One’s Chronic Condition
A good place to start is by researching your loved one’s chronic condition. By gaining a deeper understanding of their condition, symptoms, and treatment options, you can gain a renewed sense of empathy for what your loved one is going through, you can be more aware of what your role may be in their care, and you can help them make the right decisions regarding the management of their symptoms.
At West Michigan Hospice, our nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors are experts at managing chronic conditions. Call for a no-obligation assessment, and we’ll help you understand what your options are.
2. Find and Access the Resources Available to You
There are also plenty of community resources available that can help both you and your loved one better manage the stages of their condition. Whether they be related to health, faith, or assistance with daily responsibilities, there are always people and places willing to lend a helping hand when things get tough to handle on your own.
For some, talking with a doctor or health expert is enough. For most, however, other resources like counseling, support groups, and nonprofit organizations play a huge role in their caregiving journey.
3. Ask the Right Questions
While we believe that there aren’t any “wrong” or “dumb” questions, we also believe that there are some extra important ones to ask certain people involved in your loved one’s care.
A good place to start, of course, is by asking your loved one how you can help them, and possibly even how you can’t help them. This information can help give you a better understanding of what they need, what their boundaries are, and when you should seek out other resources to help.
After that, you’ll want to talk with an organization that helps you meet your goals, whether that be hospice, home health, or other outpatient program. In many cases, they’ll be very thorough and give you all the information you need to know to provide great care. However, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need. Here are a few that you should make sure are covered:
- How will this chronic condition change over time?
- Is there potential for rehabilitation with this condition?
- What are our options? Which is the best option, in your opinion?
4. Remember to Take Care of Yourself, Too
Caring for someone with chronic illness is stressful. It’s important to make sure you’re staying in tune with your own physical and mental wellbeing, too. Know your limits, and be aware of the warning signs of caregiver burnout, some of which include:
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Irritability
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Changes in appetite and/or weight
- Withdrawal from friends and/or family
- Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
- Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you’re caring
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you may need to take a step back and ask for help. Seek out the resources and care you need, then find some other ways to cope, such as practicing relaxation techniques, surrounding yourself with healthy friendships, and allowing yourself to feel any strong emotions you have.
5. Consider Hospice Care
One of the options you can take to provide better care for your loved one is to enroll them in hospice care. Hospice is care that focuses on quality of life for people who are seriously ill and/or managing chronic conditions. Its goals are to reduce critical care events and treat symptoms of the illness rather than the illness itself. Hospice care is generally for people in their expected last six months of life, but it can also be provided for years.
When you enroll a loved one in hospice care, they’ll receive a personalized care plan that determines the services they need to live comfortably. These services are most often provided within your loved one’s home and include some, or all, of the following:
- Regular nurse visits
- Social work
- Physician services
- Spiritual care
- Volunteer services (e.g. household chores, grocery shopping, etc.)
- Personal care attendants
- Bereavement counseling
- Durable medical equipment (e.g. walkers, wheelchairs, beds, etc.)
This long list of services comes with a compassionate team of individuals who are happy to take some of the stress of caring away from you. For many families, choosing hospice can be a difficult decision, but once they make it, they’re able to live happier, healthier lives — making room to enjoy spending time and making memories with their loved one.
Get the Support You Need at West Michigan Hospice
Caring for a loved one with a chronic condition can be stressful — from managing their pain to becoming their primary caregiver, and more. If you’re struggling to find the support you need, reach out to West Michigan Hospice. With a team full of compassionate professionals and a comprehensive list of hospice services, we can make life a little more comfortable for your loved one, and for yourself.