By Life is already complicated enough before you add increasing healthcare needs. Though many of us do not face significant health complications until we get a little older, some people live with them for their entire lives. Having greater healthcare needs than others can be frustrating and difficult, especially when you take into account medical bills, the inability to work, or having to design your living space to accommodate your needs.
However, just because life is a little more difficult when you deal with a condition does not mean that it is impossible. There are ways to manage the situation to make life as comfortable and convenient as possible, though it may take a few extra steps.
Here are some tips to help you manage your increased healthcare needs, no matter what age you are.
Adjust Your Living Space
Most homes are designed to accommodate fully healthy humans. Everything from the size of the doorframe to the amount of stairs assumes that a person has normal mobility. When this is not the case, a home can become an obstacle to happiness rather than a proponent of it. If you are struggling with a challenging disability that makes it hard to navigate your home as is, maybe it is time to redesign the living space. Maybe some doorways need to be widened for wheelchair access, or the handles on those doors should be levers so that you do not have to grip them as hard to open them. Perhaps it is time to install new flooring in the bathroom that is less slippery to prevent devastating falls. Updating your living space can make life much easier when you have significant healthcare needs.
Research Remote Healthcare Options
When you face difficult health conditions, they often require frequent appointments and checkups. This can be a tiring activity, constantly having to go out and meet with a doctor or specialist to discuss what is going on with your body and mind. Now that telehealth is advancing as an industry, you can pursue remote healthcare options to save time and travel. Mental health, for example, is a category where online services are replacing in-person mental health care. For physical checkups, some can be conducted through a video call. When you typically make frequent visits to a healthcare practice, you can save time by researching remote options.
Know Your Insurance Benefits
Health insurance plays a huge role in our lives, especially for those dealing with increased healthcare needs. These policies help us pay for the high number of bills we face and often provide additional perks that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. However, if you are unfamiliar with your policy, how it works, and the benefits it offers, you could be missing out on significant support. For example, let’s say you are a veteran with a service-related injury or illness. Did you know that there are VA disability benefits that can put tax-free payments into your account each month? Some conditions easily qualify you for VA disability benefits, but you would be missing out on those payments if you never looked into the program. The same is true of traditional health insurance policies, as there may be things that are covered that could help care for your needs.
Consider At-Home Care
Many of us are most comfortable in our own homes. We cannot imagine the idea of living in a healthcare facility or long-term care organization such as a nursing home. However, staying at home may be dangerous for your health if you have significant care needs. The solution is to receive at-home care to combine the convenience of staying home with receiving the care you need. This could involve hiring an in-home caregiver or simply using healthcare services that can travel to your place of living. In-home care often benefits mental health as well as physical health since you can avoid spending so much time in doctor’s offices or healthcare clinics.
Stay Active
One of the best ways we can take care of our bodies is by engaging in physical activity. Perhaps you have limited mobility due to your condition. You should still try to exercise as much as your body will allow. Movement can stimulate better circulation, muscle development, and immune system strength. As you consider an exercise plan, make sure you are aware of your body’s limitations so that you do not push it too hard.
Think Outside of the Box For Your Health
Receiving healthcare is rarely a simple process. There are always many factors to consider when choosing a path. If you want to prioritize your health when facing increased care needs, you may need to think outside of the box. Would a switch to remote appointments benefit your lifestyle? Should the home be updated to accommodate your changing needs? Is it time to hire a part-time caregiver to help with certain tasks that are too difficult for you to manage on your own? Demonstrate curiosity about the best solutions so you can create a healthcare plan that will result in a longer and happier life.
