Smart Senior

Chronic illness. Nobody ever says, “oh goodie,” when they learn that they have a new diagnosis to add to their already growing mix. Alas, chronic illnesses are so common that they might be considered a rite of passage. At a certain age every little ache, pain, or tremor is here to stay, a clear sign that you “aren’t as young as you used to be”.
A chronic illness is any disorder that persists for an extended period and will likely infringe on your ability to live “normally.” It isn’t the end of the world, but it is sobering.
Many, perhaps even most, of your friends and relatives, whether they talk about it or not, are already dealing with one, or more, chronic conditions. Arthritis, emphysema, cirrhosis, diabetes, heart failure, and osteoporosis are common afflictions associated with ageing.
There is no way to sugar-coat the fact that chronic illnesses are associated with deterioration and loss. The good news is that thanks to gains in knowledge, improved pharmaceuticals and technological advances, people can live for years with conditions that would have led to an early demise not very long ago.
Rather than tossing the word “disability” into the mix, think more about how you are going to learn, accept, and adapt. You have now joined an elite group of people who are all brave survivors. It should feel good to know that you are not alone.
It is hard to imagine what your fellow sufferers have gone through, but they do have one thing in common. They refuse to let what has befallen them ruin their lives. Chronic conditions cannot be cured but they can be managed, and the inevitability can even be delayed, like age itself.
Once over the shock you will want to learn everything you can about your condition so that you can be an active participant in your own care.
Know that most chronic conditions do not have to derail your plans to live independently. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a difference. Your life will change, it must change, but you are still the same person you have always been.