Managing Chronic Illness at Home
Chronic illnesses and health conditions can impact every aspect of a senior’s life, from their physical abilities to their emotional state. Though the impact of chronic illness on individuals can be great, it is certainly possible for your senior loved one to effectively manage the symptoms of their chronic health condition at home.
Our in-home caregivers at Visiting Angels of Chelsea can help with this process by providing several types of support to your loved one. In this article, we will look at some of the ways our caregivers can help your senior loved one live a full, joyful life while dealing with a chronic health condition.
Medication Reminders
If your loved one has a chronic medical condition, they likely take one or more medications to help keep their body healthy. It is crucial that these medications are taken at the right time and at the correct dosages. While we do not administer medications, our caregivers can remind your loved one when it is time to take the next dose of their medications. With our help, your loved one will not miss or double up on doses.
Diet and Nutrition Support
Many chronic conditions necessitate specific types of diets. For instance, people with heart disease are encouraged to take special care to eat low-fat protein sources and whole grains while limiting saturated fats and sodium. Our Angels can help your loved one with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and eating, making it easy for them to stay on their doctor-appointed diet.
Help With Physical Activities
Regular exercise is important for many people who struggle with chronic health conditions. However, it’s important that your loved one is supervised while exercising, even for lower-impact activities like stretching and chair yoga. Our in-home care providers can watch over your loved one while they exercise, allowing them to get physical activity into their day without having to worry about potential accidents while alone.
Emotional and Social Support
The psychological effects of chronic illness can also be quite serious. Chronic illnesses can take a toll on seniors’ mental health, and can often lead to feelings of isolation or depression. Our Angels can provide much-needed companionship and socialization for your loved one. Our caregivers can lend an ear to your loved one’s feelings, join in their hobbies, and simply provide companionship.
Keeping Up With Healthcare Providers
Your senior loved one probably has a team of several healthcare professionals who help them manage their chronic health condition. We can take your loved one to and from their appointments and ensure that your loved one doesn’t forget any important documents provided to them by their doctors. We will also report to you and your family about these appointments and keep you posted on any health updates.
Continuous Monitoring
As we just mentioned, our caregivers will always keep you and your family informed about any changes in your loved one’s condition. We will pay careful attention to any irregularities and inform your family as soon as possible. Even if you don’t live in town, our Angels will ensure that you are always up-to-date on your loved one’s wellbeing.
Learn More About How We Can Help
At Visiting Angles of Chelsea, we provide highly personalized care, ensuring that every senior we serve gets the exact kind of care they need! If you are interested in learning more about our senior care options, all you need to do is reach out to our team at (617) 409-9039 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free home care evaluation meeting. During this meeting, we’ll come to your home and speak with you about our home care plans, scheduling, costs, and more. Contact us today to get started!