Compassionate Nursing Services, a provider of elder care in St. Louis & nearby areas, is here to help seniors successfully manage long-term medical conditions.
Do you ever get up in the morning and realize, from the moment you got out of bed, that it was going to be “one of those days?” Maybe you slept through your alarm, tripped over the cat, and then remembered you were out of milk. These minor inconveniences, however, pale in comparison of what over fifty percent of all adults in the U.S. are facing each and every day: life with long-term medical conditions.
Whether it’s cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or any one of a great many other serious and debilitating medical conditions, simply getting through everyday activities is often a struggle. And unsurprisingly, these challenges can make it difficult to maintain an optimistic outlook on life.
Compassionate Nursing Services’ award-winning elder care in St. Louis and the surrounding area is able to assist in both of these areas. We provide hands-on support with the daily tasks that can become overwhelming, along with emotional support.
Making Activities of Daily Living Easier to Manage
Think through your own daily routine when you’re at home:
- A morning shower
- Preparing breakfast
- Making the bed
- Taking care of laundry
- Cleaning the house
- Fixing lunch
- Paying bills
- Running to the grocery store as well as other errands
- Organizing a closet
- Planning and making dinner
- Cleaning up again!
- Preparing for bed
Now imagine attempting to accomplish all those tasks while impacted by the side effects of chemotherapy; or while pulling around an oxygen tank; or in the midst of cognitive decline. An in-home caregiver can help with these along with other routine but necessary tasks, freeing up time and energy for the senior to relax and take part in enjoyable pastimes.
Lifting a Senior’s Spirits
It’s extremely common for an individual battling a long-term medical condition to find it difficult to maintain a life of joy and to fend off depression. Our caregivers provide cheerful companionship that lets seniors know they truly are cared for. Through conversations, exercise programs, participating in hobbies and interests, and merely being there to listen when life feels discouraging, a caregiving companion brings a breath of fresh air into day-to-day life.
The following tips can help someone with long-term medical conditions to feel hopeful and positive:
- Find a sense of purpose. Having purpose in life is vital to our wellbeing. It’s a matter of helping a senior loved one uncover what she or he is passionate about and pursuing that interest. Get creative in brainstorming ideas or ways to make life more meaningful: learning something new, serving others, creating a video to document his or her family history or life lessons to pass along to the next generation.
- Find reasons to be grateful. A very easy but effective way to enhance positivity is by journaling. Encourage the senior to start off every day by listing a number of things he or she is grateful for: the scent of fresh blueberry muffins baking, the beauty of the sunrise, an upcoming lunch date with a friend.
- Find activities outside of the home. If at all possible, help the senior enjoy life away from home: a nail or hair appointment, a shopping trip, a visit with loved ones. Even a short walk or time spent on the back deck can be beneficial.
Discover More Ways Home Care Can Help
Reach out to Compassionate Nursing Services any time at 314-432-4312 for more helpful tips on long-term health conditions. We would also love to come and meet with you in the comfort of your home to discuss more ways that our caregivers can make every day the best it can be for seniors at home. To learn more about our award-winning elder care in St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding communities, contact us today.