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How To Sustain Independence If Living With Chronic Illness

How To Sustain Independence If Living With Chronic Illness

By Kim Angelakis

NC – Very few of us enjoy getting older. With each passing year, life can bring new challenges, ailments and obstacles. Although many older individuals live with chronic health conditions, (71 percent of Canadians aged 60 to 79 have at least one) there are many things that can be done to remain active and vital at this stage in life.

Those afflicted with chronic health problems often feel as though they have little control over their life, but there are many little things they can do that can make a big difference. Our staff at We Care Home Health Services has found that certain lifestyle choices can profoundly affect not only the quality of their life, but also their ability to be independent of others’ care.

Taking a page out of We Care’s free Get Going to Keep Going Guide, I offer the following tips:

Get Eating: Eating a healthy balance of nutritious foods can be easy and fun by choosing a new fruit or vegetable to explore each week. A healthy diet promotes brain function and provides essential nutrients to the body’s most critical organs.

Get Active: If possible, get walking, stretching or doing simple exercises. Staying active not only helps mitigate symptoms of chronic pain, but can help generate additional energy and fend off other illnesses.

Get Involved: Getting involved in regular volunteer activities is a winning proposition for everyone: you, those you help, and the community around you. Doing so helps keep your mind sharp and induces confidence that, in turn, reduces stress.

Get Happy: As we age, it’s not uncommon to feel afraid, anxious, depressed or lonely. To help combat these feelings, try to stay socially active and don’t hesitate to talk about your feelings.

Get Help: Learn to identify new symptoms and act on them immediately by talking to your doctor, a telehealth line, a provincial home care agency or a private home health care provider.

A free copy of the Get Going to Keep Going Guide can be found at www.wecare.ca/GetGoing.

Kim Angelakis is the national director of clinical education and research at We Care Home Health Services.

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