Many older adults today face a variety of chronic conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, COPD, Alzheimer’s disease – the list goes on and on. And for the majority of seniors, three or more concurrent health problems exist, making it challenging to effectively manage when factoring in multiple care providers, medications, and side effects.

Health in Aging has put together a helpful resource for seniors and their caregivers to ensure optimum health. The professional senior care team at THE MEDICAL TEAM has summarized several important points:

Communication and education are key. When diagnosed with a chronic health disease, both the senior diagnosed and his or her family caregivers should learn as much as possible about the condition, and put together a list of questions to ask the doctor, such as:

• What are the benefits vs. the risks of the recommended treatment plan?
• What kinds of side effects might be experienced from prescribed medications?
• Are there any non-medication treatment options to help with symptom management?

Communication is vital when multiple care providers are treating multiple conditions. Compile notes and instructions from each physician and share with each individual specialist.

Think long-term. Putting together a long-range plan for care needs in the early stages of a chronic illness will reduce stress down the road. Think through goals for care, such as whether the senior would prefer to remain at home throughout aging, and if so, who will provide necessary care. While family members may commit to caring for the senior, bear in mind that other personal commitments such as careers, spouse/children’s needs, and time for self-care will be compromised. Partnering with a trusted in-home caregiver, such as those at THE MEDICAL TEAM, allows for a healthy life balance for all involved.

Be an advocate. Both family caregivers and the senior herself should feel empowered to voice any concerns and ensure they’re addressed. There may, for instance, be unexpected and difficult side effects from a particular medication. The older adult should never endure and struggle in silence, assuming that the doctor’s orders are paramount. It’s possible that an alternative treatment option can be explored that’s more comfortable for the senior.

THE MEDICAL TEAM is always on hand to help with chronic disease management, whether the need is for just a few hours to allow family caregivers a much-needed break from care, full-time, around-the-clock care, or anything in between. Contact us to take the first step in improving a senior’s quality of life and wellbeing.