Chronic Illness

Characteristics

• If a condition has lasted more then 6 months it is considered to be a chronic illness

• Examples of chronically ill people include those with cancer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, arthritis.

• Factors affecting the cause include heredity, life style (stress, diet, exercise etc.) and even environmental factors

5 Needs of Priority

• Employment• Financial support• Health• Housing• Self-esteem

Employment

• Difficulties will arise if the chronic illness is physically or psychologically limiting

• If unemployed, a person will need to seek welfare payments from the government and this can become emotionally challenging

• This can become difficult if primary wage earner in family becomes chronically ill which in turn can change whole dynamics of the family structure Difficulties will arise if the chronic illness is physically or psychologically limiting

Financial Support

• Significant costs are associated with medical costs and treatment and in many cases a person may have multiple illnesses adding to these costs

• When a chronic illness impacts on employment opportunities there will be considerable financial strain

Health

• Chronically ill have significant health care needs, such as visits to a general practitioner, followed by diagnostic tests, pharmaceutical prescriptions, consultations with specialists, visits the hospital and possible surgery

• People with a chronic disease make-up 52/100 visits to GP’s

Housing

• Modifications to a house may be required if a person has physical limitations such as ramps, handrails, and modified toilet and bathing facilities

• In some cases patients cannot stay in their homes as it is too far away from medical services

Self-Esteem

• A person with a serious medical illness is at risk of developing associated emotional problems unlike those with temporary sickness such as the flu

• They must take good care of their bodies and accept limitations as well as celebrating their strengths

Factors Affecting Access to Resources:

• Socio-economic status• Age

• Disability

Socio-economic status

• Many suffering can not work and have no income as their illness is that bad.

• They rely on the public health system.• They also have limited housing options which may not suit

their needs.• Physical wellbeing affected as they cannot afford

nutritious foods• Economic wellbeing affected as they cannot afford to pay

bills• Socioeconomic wellbeing is affected as they may have

feelings of doubt

Age

• Youth do not have as much knowledge about what they could be doing to help prevent or maintain their illness, however they have greater skills in finding resources

• Older people are less mobile and usually have more than one chronic illness making all of their conditions worse

• Those who are suffering from a chronic illness and also have a disability can find it hard to understand what is going on and do not know how to maintain their illness.

Disability