Aging Gracefully with Chronic Illness

January 21, 2008

Aging Gracefully with Chronic Illness is a choice. Learn the golden rules for life in your golden years.

A quick review of books on healthy aging reveals a common array of strategies: remain close to friends and family; get involved in civic and community activities; exercise regularly; and sleep more.

These well-intentioned suggestions are excellent for most healthy, middle-aged people with reasonably active lives. But try asking a chronic pain sufferer to exercise more or to sleep more or to go out more, and you’ll be greeted with a dismissive roll of the eyes, followed by a chuckle or even a right hook!

Think about it. You are asking people with degenerative diseases to become more socially active than they probably were during their better days. It’s just not possible.

And chronic pain sufferers who do not exercise should not be blamed for their lack of activity. They should be understood. After all, who would knowingly ignore their doctor’s advice on how to live longer and feel better?

Pushing oneself too hard—whether to appease critics or doctors—can be dangerous. Brittle bones and sore muscles is no laughing matter. Overly aggressive exercise regimens have been known to push chronic pain sufferers into a “flare” that could last for weeks. Alas, chronic pain sufferers cannot have a predetermined exercise regiment – the decision to exercise is a day to day, hour to hour decision. Things can change that quickly.

And those advocating more sleep to chronic pain sufferers clearly have no knowledge of the way pain affects sleep. Most patients are insomniacs while others are in prolonged, medication-induced slumber. To make matters worse, some people experience both extremes on different days in the same week. In this population, therefore, “sleep problems” often implies more than one sleep disorder in the same person.

Clearly, a more customized approach for chronic pain sufferers is needed—one that takes into account their physical and mental limitations. Notice the word is limitations–not laziness. Accepting one’s physical limitations is not accepting defeat. It is merely acknowledging an evil reality of aging with chronic illness: when it hurts—and it can hurt bad.

So what can you do to age gracefully and live a better life?

1. Attitude – adopting a positive mental outlook–one imbued with hope—can often compensate for normal age-related deterioration. Your mind may not conquer matter, but it can do enough to stave off the secondary depression that is associated with chronic pain.

2. Distraction Therapy – engaging in activities that divert your mind from your medical conditions. Diversion does not mean ignoring. Diversion, in this case, means to keep yourself from obsessing over your health issues. Spending time with grandchildren or playing video games are just two examples of useful distraction therapy.

3. Identify Stressors – it’s no secret that stress aggravates health conditions. Try to identify your stressors. Remember that stressors can include the people, too. After identifying your stressors, separate yourself from your stressors where possible. If you can’t eliminate the stressors, learn healthy coping skills to help you deal with them.

4. Nutrition – this is more than just eating the right foods. Proper nutrition includes self-monitoring: keep a food diary and take note of any foods that bother you. You may have a food allergy or sensitivity. Knowing what not to eat is as important as knowing what to eat.

5. Hydrotherapy – Find out if you have access to a warm water pool. It’s not only fun, but water therapy is a low impact activity that won’t make your muscles scream the next day. All in all, an excellent way to maintain your mobility.

6. Breathing – explore yoga or other breathing exercises. You probably thought you learned to breathe long ago, but proper breathing is a skill that can be learned. Just changing your breathing patterns will help you cope better with stressful situations. Don’t underestimate the value of this suggestion. It will prolong your life.

7. Learn about specialized equipment—there is a plethora of medial equipment available to help you get around easier. Everything from a simple cane, to scooters, to powered wheel chairs can help you regain control of your life. It can also provide relief your caregivers and give you more independence and self-efficacy.

8. Eliminate Smoking/Drinking – this is something you’ve heard your whole life. Guess what? It’s still true. Dropping these habits will not only improve your overall health and help you live longer–it’ll also save you a few bucks. Talk to your doctor about the latest treatments to quit smoking and drinking.

9. Get a computer – if you are can’t get outside, your social life will suffer. Then came the Internet. All you’ll need to get online is a basic computer and an internet service provider. Joining an online community like Fibrotalk.com will give you support and friendship and cure your loneliness. Ask your children or grandchildren to help you get started. There is a whole world waiting for you to discover!

10. Spirituality – it has been proven that belief in a higher power can sustain seniors through the ups and downs of aging. The reasons for this are unclear. Some speculate that belief in an afterlife gives people something to live for — a higher calling. Rediscovering your spirituality will make the future brighter, not bleaker, and give you a sense of communion with your fellow devotees.

POINTS TO PONDER:

• Centenarians are not obese.

• Centenarians rarely smoke.

• Centenarians seem to have delayed or avoided age-related health problems such as stroke, heart attacks, cancer, diabetes although no one knows why

• Centenarians have a stress-reduction mindset – they handle stress better than others

• Centenarians have a sense of humor – an ability to laugh at themselves and others.

• Centenarians have a sense of hope – they look forward to tomorrow with anticipation.

• Centenarians are engaged – they do something, have an interest, are involved.

• Centenarians have an ability to cope with loss and still go on with life.

Source: New England Centenarian Study, Harvard, The Minnesota Nun Study, the University of Georgia Centenarian Study