Have you or your loved one received a life-changing diagnosis? A health condition such as diabetes, vision loss, heart disease, cancer, Dementia, Alzheimers, or Parkinson’s disease can surely be life-changing.
A serious diagnosis will leave a person may experience a host of emotions such as shock, denial and anger. Next may come the sad and mopey stage which can often lead to depression, making it even harder to manage their new health condition.
So, what do you do?
Educate Yourself
Learn all you can about your condition. Avoid internet searching that could leave you overwhelmed and possibly misinformed. Ask your doctor for reliable sources of information.
Talk it Out
Keeping the diagnosis secret from family and friends can be a stressful burden for both the patient and their caregivers. Decide together how you will share the news and what details are important to include. Talking to a qualified mental health professional can also be very beneficial for both the patient and family. This allows a safe space to talk about concerns and learn ways to cope with the emotional challenges of the diagnosis.
Join a Support Group
Support groups are a safe place where you can work through the questions, emotions and challenges you experience with other people who have gone through similar experiences. You can ask questions and talk about other’s experiences that can be of tremendous help as you move forward in your own health journey. We have a number of groups to consider on our Resources page.
Evaluate Home Life
Most patients prefer to stay and receive care in their own homes. Evaluate the specific needs as well as the safety and accessibility of the home. At Neighbors Who Care, we offer free services that can help you stay in your home for as long as possible.
We offer: Transportation • Shopping & Errands • Dinner Delivery • Respite • Visiting • Reassurance Calling • Van Driving • Office & Clerical • Education Planning • Event Planning • Minor Repair • Business Help
Need a little extra help? Become a client.
