Are you or someone you care for living with one or more chronic illnesses? If so, you understand that you are among a ‘vulnerable' population, especially now given the current pandemic. Since I personally fall into that demographic I am frightened, how about you? One of my risk factors is that I have asthma, plus I live in a city which often has some of the most polluted air in the nation. The most vulnerable older adults living in care centers are naturally terrified, given the amount of active coronavirus cases and lives that have been lost.
Remember that chronic illnesses are prevalent among adults of all age groups. Twenty-two (22) percent of adults aged 18-44, fifty-four (54) percent of adults aged 45-64, and eighty-two (82) percent of adults age 65 and over are living with multiple chronic illnesses. That means millions of adults from all age groups in the United States are at high risk. The previous data excludes children…a 2016 report, published in The Journal of School Nursing, states that roughly 25% of children age 0-18 are affected by chronic health conditions. These numbers are too high and we have an opportunity to tip the scales in our favor. The health factors we have control over are diet, how we manage stress, whether we are exercising to the best of our ability, and if we are limiting (or ideally avoiding) alcohol, tobacco, refined sugars, junk food, and even caffeine.
After decades of good health, I faced liver failure, heart failure, and osteoarthritis leading to artificial hips...I was in my mid 40’s at the time. I’ve come to understand how difficult it can be adjusting to a new lifestyle when faced with an illness that will likely never go away. As previously mentioned, chronic illnesses are increasing, According to a 2019 report from the National Health Council, “…chronic diseases affect approximately 133 million Americans.”
Now, more than ever, empathy and care towards others is needed. Try to be sensitive to people living with these conditions and be aware of what not to say.
For example:
“I know how your feel.” - The truth is you probably don’t.
“But you don’t look sick.” - Many chronic illnesses aren’t detectable by outward appearances. This isn’t what people like to hear and leaves them feeling as if others don’t believe that they are truly sick.
“You have to think positive.” - This can be a frustrating platitude for someone who can never walk away or take a break from being ill. It’s okay to acknowledge that being unwell is rotten and unfair.
Listening, education, and awareness are the keys to care. Remember to never ‘Dis-ability’, meaning, allow the ill person to demonstrate his or her own capabilities and limits. Our assumptions about what a chronically ill person can and can’t do are sometimes incorrect. No one wants to be defined by a disease. Help empower them and focus on abilities and interests.* Empathy and kindness are simple steps for each and every one of us. Personal accountability and taking charge of our own health are the proactive measures called for to strengthen our immune system, better manage conditions, and reduce risk factors. Consider these 3 Key Concepts to Improved Health…Soothe - Nourish - Rest. Simple steps can aid us in the darkest times and offer significant rewards.
Free resources, tips, and tools to better manage health and chronic illness can be found at Anderson Therapeutics.
Be Well! ~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES
Founder, Anderson Therapeutics
Author - Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery
Article can be viewed on page 6 of the PEHP Cycles 2014 publication here.
*(Segments of this article first published in the PEHP Viewpoint Holiday 2013 issue, p.8 - founder of Anderson Therapeutics previously employed at PEHP as their Wellness Communications Specialist. Responsibilities included production and designing the monthly PEHP Wellness newsletter (distributed statewide), conducting biometric health screenings, and writing articles such as this one for numerous PEHP publications.)