According to studies, nearly one in three people experience chronic disease, and it can be said that it’s on the rise. In 2020, lung cancer, a specific chronic condition, caused the death of around 1.8 million people worldwide, attributing to the highest number of cancer deaths.
But what is a chronic disease? Chronic disease is a condition that continues for a lifetime or that is long-lasting in its effects. It can impact a person’s lifestyle, and sometimes it may lead to having a mental health issue. It’s all too common to feel discouraged or sad after being diagnosed with lung cancer or after having chronic pain.
It is why supporting an individual with chronic disease is vital in assisting them in their recovery. It helps the person with chronic disease realize that they are not alone, which can improve their condition.
Furthermore, if you think a loved one or friend has a chronic disease, it’s good that they seek help from a physician among many healthcare providers. One of these healthcare providers is Promontory Home Health. Visit https://www.promontoryhomehealth.com/ for more information.
To begin, here are the six ways to support someone with a chronic disease:
- Study Their Condition
Following specific treatments and coping strategies through open communication to an individual with a chronic disease can only happen if you assess the warning signs and know how a symptom shows itself.
Knowing the basics can allow you to understand their condition better, which can lead to proper care for them. Moreover, you can find valuable resources through books, online videos, and articles sharing the steps for recovery people who have undergone the same experiences have taken.
- Listen To Them
Avoid judgments when communicating with them. Ask them what they are doing and hear what they are speaking. Asking is vital as many may misunderstand their situation and invalidate their feelings. Sometimes, they need to be heard, understood, and validated, which can only occur through active listening. It is a practical way to support a person with persistent chronic disease.
- Leave Things To A Professional
Though it’s good to educate yourself about their conditions like heat attack issues or lung cancer, it’s not good to presume that you know what they experience, even if the intention is to help them.
One way to avoid presuming is to avoid prescribing alternative treatments without having a piece of advice from a professional. Avoiding such prescriptions can prevent possible side effects from those alternative treatments. Another way is to avoid giving unsolicited advice when they are not asking for it.
Overall, proper instruction from a healthcare professional who knows the topic better will help them recover in the long run.
- Ask How You Can Assist Them
You can help them by asking questions on how they may need assistance. Practical examples such as catering to their children, assisting them to go to a specific place, bringing over dinner are ways to support them from asking questions.
Furthermore, it helps you to avoid assuming that they need help at a particular moment when the fact is that they don’t need one. Overall, it would be a great way to show one’s presence and extend sympathy to their situation.
- Take Care Of Your Health Also
Most individuals with chronic diseases have their immune systems becoming vulnerable because of their condition. With that, you can avoid aggravating their state if you are healthy yourself and don’t have the possibility of transmitting diseases to them such as colds or flu. It can prevent further health problems that can add to their existing condition.
- Be Flexible
Changes in plans or activities resulting from their decisions require flexibility, mainly if it occurs for an extended time. It’s important to know that such a person is not experiencing changes in his personality but rather changes in his health. If this happens, provide alternative solutions and plans, always practice empathy and open conversations.
Conclusion
Chronic diseases are rampant, and many individuals suffer for a long time because of this. It can cause harmful effects not only physically but also mentally. That’s why knowing how to support an individual with chronic disease by another person is vital so they can have more care and encouragement.
Some ways to support a person with chronic disease are listening to them, asking questions, and having information about their condition. It is necessary if you want to help a person in concrete and practical ways.