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Practical Tips for Thriving After a Chronic Diagnosis
by Janet Campbell, Guest Author
A chronic diagnosis can be a lot to handle. There are so many things to consider and take care of that you may feel overwhelmed. But you can move past the shock if you pause a moment, reflect on your past, and think about practical changes you can make to maintain your quality of life in the future.
Here are some steps to ensure you’re fostering your body, mind, and soul after a chronic diagnosis.
Find and Purchase an Accessible Home
One of the first things you’ll want to do after a chronic diagnosis is purchase (or rent) an accessible home or modify your current one. An accessible home is necessary for those with chronic conditions because it makes daily life much easier — no more struggling up and down stairs or trying to maneuver in small spaces. And if you have a larger home, you may want to consider installing an elevator.
While the upfront cost of an accessible home may be higher than a traditional home, it will be worth it in the long run. In addition, many government programs offer financial assistance for those with disabilities. Just remember to hire an experienced real estate agent to help you navigate the process. Be sure to estimate what type of home you can comfortably afford and seek a mortgage pre-approval before getting too deep in your home search.
Modifying your current home is another option to consider. If purchasing a new home isn’t in the cards for you, Pinterest is an excellent resource for DIY accessibility modifications. Check with your doctor before making any changes to ensure they won’t exacerbate your condition.
Create a Budget
Another necessary step after a chronic condition diagnosis is to create a budget that fits your finances. Medical bills can add up quickly. And if you can’t work because of your chronic illness, your income may be reduced or non-existent. So it’s crucial to plan how you will pay your bills and live comfortably on your new budget.
Cut Costs
There are many ways to reduce expenses when you have a chronic condition. For example, you can get prescriptions filled through mail order, which is usually cheaper than going to the pharmacy. You may also get assistance from government programs.
Another way to reduce expenses is to cancel your cable subscription and find free or low-cost entertainment options. Many websites and apps offer free movies and TV shows. And if you enjoy reading, plenty of free e-books are available online.
In addition, you can save money on groceries by preparing easy-to-cook meals at home. There are many websites and cookbooks with recipes that are healthy and affordable. And if you’re short on time, you can choose from a host of recipes that you can prepare in 30 minutes or less.
Organize Medical Information
As the medical profession increasingly relies on electronic records, PDFs have become a popular way to store and share information. PDFs are easy to create and can be viewed on many devices, making them ideal for sharing medical records. In addition, PDFs can be password protected and encrypted, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. And because they can be easily emailed or uploaded to a secure server, PDFs offer a convenient way to share medical records with specialists and other healthcare providers. If you have files in different formats (e.g., Word), you can upload your file to convert it to a PDF using a free tool.
Practice Relaxing Activities at Home
Finally, one of the most important things you can do after being diagnosed with a chronic condition is to make time for relaxing activities. Stress can worsen many chronic diseases, so you should seek ways to reduce stress in your life. Some relaxing activities you can do at home include yoga, reading, listening to music, or spending time outside in nature.
Conclusion
A chronic diagnosis can be overwhelming. But you can still ensure you’re taking care of yourself — body, mind, and soul. Living in an accessible home will improve your daily life. Managing your finances well, engaging in relaxing activities, and spending time in nature will also help you stay healthy and happy. Before long, you’ll be successfully navigating challenges and flourishing in this new phase of your life!
Thank you for the information in this article. It’s very practical. I was wondering if you had more specific information on the government programs that might help. You didn’t name any and I’m not sure how to go about finding them.
I identified with your comment about finding and purchasing an accessible home. I was diagnosed on 15/12/20, so have just ‘celebrated’ my second anniversary. We made the decision last year to sell our large two storey home and downsize to a single storey home that could – with a few small tweaks like wet floor shower in the future – be made as accessible as possible, so that I can continue to live with my husband. Another thing we did quite a while ago is to set up Enduring Power of Attorney for each other. This will be useful for my husband to have this in future if I need someone to be able to legally acct on my behalf. Many people think of Wills and Life Insurance but not who will act for them if they are unable to make their own decisions in the future but are still here.