Home / Healthcare Options / Chronic Disease Management and Exploring End-of-Life Care

Chronic Disease Management and Exploring End-of-Life Care

By: Katelynne Shepard • Edited by: Brindusa Vanta, MD • 4 cited sources • Updated Oct 14, 2024

Chronic conditions can drain you physically, emotionally, and financially, and the longer they go on, the harder it can be to cope. When you or a loved one has reached the palliative care or hospice care stage, making decisions can feel that much more overwhelming. Chronic disease management requires regular attention, which you can learn about in this piece, as well as strategies for handling, the roles of palliative and hospice care, managing healthcare costs, and other important considerations for making the best decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Effective chronic disease management improves quality of life and reduces complications.
• Palliative care provides relief from symptoms at any stage of a serious chronic illness.
• Hospice care focuses on comfort and support for people nearing the end of life.
• Managing healthcare costs and planning for future needs is necessary for patients and caregivers alike.
• Advance directives and financial planning are important considerations, particularly with end-of-life care.

What Is a Chronic Disease?

A chronic disease is a long-lasting condition that requires ongoing medical attention and may limit activities of daily living. Unlike acute illnesses, which often resolve with treatment, chronic diseases persist over time and can be managed but not usually cured. They may even be terminal. 

What Are Some Common Chronic Diseases?

Common chronic diseases include:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Chronic respiratory diseases, such as COPD
• Cancer
• The lasting effects of stroke
• Arthritis
• Chronic kidney disease

These conditions can develop slowly and may become more severe over time, or come on suddenly. Some chronic illnesses will require years of post-acute care, or even lifelong medication and therapy to manage^[1].

The Role of Palliative Care in Managing Chronic Diseases

Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness^[2]. It can be appropriate at any stage of a chronic illness, and you can often be implemented alongside whatever curative treatments you’re working through. The key components of palliative care include:

• Symptom management: Addressing pain, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms to improve comfort
• Emotional support: Getting counseling and support to patients and their families to cope with the emotional toll of chronic illness
• Coordination of care: Ensuring all healthcare providers involved in a patient’s care are working together as an effective care team
• Communication: Helping patients and families know their options and make informed decisions about treatment and care

Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of the illness or the need for other therapies.

In palliative care, addressing ‘total pain’ is essential. ‘Total pain’ refers to physical, emotional, social, and spiritual suffering. This holistic approach provides comprehensive support, helping improve patients’ quality of life and well-being.

Brindusa Vanta, MD

The Role of Hospice Care in Managing Chronic Illnesses

Hospice care is a type of palliative care designed to meet the special needs of people who are nearing the end of life, typically when they have 6 months or less to live.^[3] The key components of hospice care include:

• Comprehensive care: Addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients
• Support for families: Providing counseling, respite care, and bereavement support for family members
• Comfort-focused: Prioritizing comfort and quality of life over curative treatments
• Attentive care: Often provided in the patient’s home or a specialized facility to allow for comfort 

Hospice care focuses on ensuring patients experience as much comfort and dignity as possible during their final months of life.

Research studies have found that enrolling in hospice care is associated with enhanced family satisfaction and improved pain and symptom management for patients. Furthermore, individuals who receive hospice care are less likely to undergo unnecessary tests or receive unwanted medications.

Brindusa Vanta, MD

Managing Healthcare Costs and Resources

Managing the healthcare costs associated with chronic disease management and end-of-life care can be challenging. Here are some tips to help manage these expenses:

• Financial assistance. Look for financial assistance programs through government agencies, including veterans’ benefits, low-income coverage options, and special funds maintained by healthcare providers.
• Insurance coverage. Review your insurance policy to understand what’s covered, and consider supplemental insurance if necessary.
• Community resources. Reach out for help from local health departments and nonprofit organizations, which may offer services at reduced costs. The National Institute on Aging has an Eldercare Locator that can help you find local resources^[4]. 
• Planning and budgeting. Budget for current and future healthcare needs. Discuss financial planning with a professional to ensure you’re prepared for unexpected expenses.

Being proactive about managing healthcare costs can alleviate some of the financial stress associated with chronic illnesses.

Additional End-of-Life Considerations

When you’re making plans for people with chronic illnesses, keep these things in mind:

• Advance directives. These legal documents allow people to outline their preferences for medical care in case they become unable to communicate their wishes. This can include critical decisions about life-sustaining treatments and designating a healthcare proxy to make determinations on your behalf.
• Financial planning. Put various financial matters in order, including wills, power of attorney, and funeral arrangements. This can help reduce stress and confusion for family members during what will likely be a difficult time.
• Support networks. Build a support network of family, friends, and healthcare professionals who can provide emotional, physical, and logistical support while you work.

Taken together, these steps can help ensure your healthcare wishes are respected and your loved ones have the support they need.

Navigating Chronic Disease Management and End-of-Life Care

Effectively managing chronic diseases and planning for end-of-life care are all part of maintaining quality of life and ensuring your wishes are respected by the care team. Chronic disease management often calls for ongoing medical care, symptom management, and lifestyle modifications, while palliative and hospice care provide essential support and comfort. Managing care costs and planning for future needs alleviate financial stress and help ensure you and your family are prepared for the challenges ahead.

Chronic disease management and end-of-life care are deeply personal experiences that require thoughtful planning and support. With the right approach, you and your loved ones can achieve a better quality of life and ensure your final wishes are honored.

Written by Katelynne Shepard

Katelynne Shepard is a writer, editor and SME who is proficient at crafting and reviewing content. She has been a full-time copywriter and editor since 2011 and has written content for Fortune 500 companies, independent law firms, indie publishers, small-business owners and mainstream websites. She specializes in parenting, lifestyle, family law, personal injury, criminal law, immigration law, astrology, personal finance, education and health care. In addition to thousands of e-commerce product and category descriptions, Verle's work includes SEO blogs, social media posts and long-form informational articles.

---

Edited by Brindusa Vanta, MD

Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a healthcare professional, researcher, and medical subject matter expert . She earned her MD degree from "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine, Romania. She has a special interest in mental health and has collaborated with psychologists and other mental health practitioners on various research projects focused on therapies to manage depression, age-related cognitive decline, trauma and stressor- related conditions.