Caring for a Patient With a Chronic Disease and Its Challenges, Essay Example

A chronic disease is a problem that persists for a long time. In most cases, a chronic disease lasts for a period of three months or more. We cannot prevent a chronic disease by vaccines, or eliminate them with some medication. A chronic disease requires the existence of standard treatment. Chronic diseases are widespread as one gets older. Though health destructive behaviours like tobacco utilization, lack of physical activities and poor eating habits contribute an immense deal to these diseases. In adverse cases, some chronic diseases cause disabilities. Some of these chronic diseases are; arthritis, stroke, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, obesity, Asthma, dementia, hypertension, Osteoporosis, and Psoriasis.

Patients with chronic diseases need proper care to promote better health outcomes. Such patients require a suitable delivery system that will provide an intuitive care, which the patient understands. They also require proper information to allow the patient to have a thorough understanding of his or her medical condition. The challenges of taking care of a chronic ailing patient are superb especially for the young and older patients. These patients cannot provide substantial responsibilities for themselves and therefore, require some assistance. In dealing with children, the caregiver has the responsibility of giving medication, getting the patient to medical appointments, and ensuring the child gets a remarkable diet and nutritional supplements.

Care giving causes emotional difficulties such as depression, anxiety, negative impression of physical health and spoiled quality of life (Sherwood, 2005). The caregivers must also seek ways to cope with their own feelings and at the same time help the child cope with the prevailing condition. Further to this, the caregivers also experience psychological and physical strain due to distrust, dismay, and fatigue.

Parents of chronically ailing children face interpersonal confusion as the daily care of the ailing children affects their relationships with their spouses, families, friends, and even their other children. Parents of such children also have a challenge in balancing care of the ailing child with solving other domestic responsibilities and financial needs (Tong, 2008).

In conclusion, we can state that personal lifestyles significantly influence an individual’s health. Many people think they have no control over their health and wellness and leave it to the health practitioners. Chronic diseases strike at random. Therefore, we should be cautious of personal health and take responsibility. We should collaborate with the doctor in case of any doubts. Further to this, the choices we make are crucial. One has to make powerful decisions about health. To manage chronic diseases, the government and private organisations need to come in hand in hand and allocate resources to the home care sector to facilitate an effective healthcare system. We should also reorganise and put in more commitment to the home care sector for a more effective and patient-centred health care system.

Reference

Schueler S. J, Beckett, J. H, & Gettings S. (2010). Chronic Disease Overview 25. May 2011 freemd.com<http://www.freemd.com/chronic-disease/overview.htm>

Sherwood, P.R., Given, C.W., Given, B.A., et al. (2005). Caregiver Burden and Depressive Symptoms: Analysis of Common Outcomes In Caregivers Of Elderly Patients. J Aging Health.

Tong. A., Lowe, A., Sainsbury P, et al. (2008). Experiences of parents who have children with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review of qualitative studies. Pediatrics.