HaloCare News & Insights

How to live well with Chronic Illness and pain at home

Written by HaloCare | Mar 15, 2024 11:05:36 AM

Living well with a chronic illness at home requires a thoughtful and holistic approach to physical, emotional, and social well-being. In our latest blog, we explore some practical tips for living well with a chronic illness at home.

What is a Chronic Illness?

A Chronic condition is typically defined as any illness that is persistent and disrupts normal daily living, whereas acute pain is typically defined as any pain that is short-term and lasts less than three months. While chronic conditions are not curable, they can be managed with the correct medication or medical intervention.

Here’s our practical tips for managing a Chronic Illness and living well at home;

Adaptive Home Environment

Every individual’s needs will be different, so it’s important that your living space is specifically adapted for your needs. Consider making changes to your home, like implementing ergonomic furniture. Other examples of adapting your home environment might include switching lighting options and installing blackout blinds for those who suffer from chronic migraines.

Grants can be granted for home adaptions from charities like or through social welfare or local councils. Resources to find out more included in appendix [i]

Embracing Technology

Technology, when implemented correctly, can be majorly beneficial for those living independently with a chronic illness, or anyone who may need additional support with their activities of daily living. Adopting technology into your daily routine to help make repetitive tasks easier to manage. Some examples of embracing technology might include;

  • Using reminder apps for medications and personalised prompts
  • Using Vital Sign Monitoring to record vitals from home such as blood sugar, blood pressure and oxygen levels
  • Using personal alarms or pendants for those who may be prone to falls due to a Chronic Illness.

Connecting with others

Social connections play an important role in our wellbeing. Join online communities or local support groups where you can share experiences, exchange advice, and build a community of like-minded individuals.

HaloCare helps to tackle social isolation by providing a user-friendly HaloPad tablet, which makes it easier to stay in contact with loved ones. The HaloPad also provides access to additional virtual well-being services such as physiotherapy, a dietitican and exercise classes for a holistic approach to healthcare.

 

How Assistive Technology can help those with a Chronic Illness live well at home?

Reduction in client risks

For many clients with compromised immune systems, living at home with assisted living technologies in place to support wellbeing is the safest way to avoid infection or additional risk.

Long-term solution

Living at home with a full-service solution maximises the client's independence and provides the best long-term solution towards supporting an individual with a long-term or chronic illness.

Allows the individual to live with privacy and dignity

Assistive Technology can help make independent living possible and allows those who wish to remain living at home, to do so. The HaloCare Assistive Technology solution does not use cameras, rather, they learn the client’s environment, patterns and routine through sensors. A camera-less approach to keeping clients safe at home, helps provide the Circle of Care with peace of mind but also allows the individual to live at home with the dignity and respect they deserve.

 

To find out more about how HaloCare could support you, or your loved once living with a Chronic Illness, get in touch today.

Appendix

[i] Chronic Pain Ireland

Chronic Illness Support for All UK

Pain Concern UK

Housing Adaption Grants for older people and people with disabilities

Long-term Illness Scheme

NHS home adaptions assessment