The Importance of Chronic Care Management

Receiving a chronic health condition or disease diagnosis can be a massive shift in one’s life. In some cases, these diagnoses can lead to an increased need for medical help or assistance in day-to-day activities.

The definition of a chronic condition is any disease or condition that persists for a year or more, requires ongoing medical attention, or limits the ability of someone to complete daily living activities. Some examples of chronic conditions that commonly affect the senior population include diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Other conditions that qualify as chronic conditions include:

• arthritis

• autism

• cancer

• asthma

• dementia

• heart disease

• hypertension

• lupus

• cardiovascular disease

• depression

• diabetes

• HIV/AIDS

• multiple sclerosis

The Role of Chronic Care Management

Create and Maintain a Comprehensive Care Plan

One of the most important things that chronic care management involves is a comprehensive care plan, which may include:

• a record of the individual’s chronic conditions

• personal information

• health care providers

• medications

• goals

• additional services needed to manage their health condition

Comprehensive care plans are immensely valuable for individuals with chronic conditions because they often visit multiple care providers, and an up-to-date and highly detailed electronic record of their health records ensures that they receive the best possible care.

Improve Quality of Life

Chronic health conditions can be a significant burden on an individual. So, the goal of chronic care management, most often, is to improve their quality of life through continuous care and management of their condition and symptoms. This can manifest through reduced stress and pain, increased physical fitness and mobility, and higher quality sleep.

Ease the Burden of Healthcare Management

Research consistently shows that those with chronic conditions, especially those that are a considerable burden to someone’s health and well-being, are less likely to be engaged in their care. While this correlation is understandable, lack of contribution to care can snowball to poorer quality care, which leaves the individual feeling worse, and the cycle continues.

Chronic care management takes over managing care for individuals whose chronic condition makes the task seem unbearable. This way, they can enjoy the benefits of exceptional care even if they do not have that initial drive because of how their condition affects them.

Management of Multiple Chronic Conditions

For those with multiple chronic conditions, chronic care management becomes even more beneficial, as these individuals often require more extended, more frequent, and more in-depth doctor’s visits. With all these conditions, careful coordination between practitioners is also crucial to prevent fragmented care.

Chronic care management can also help ensure that individuals stick to their treatment plans, even if they seem complicated.

Assess for Caregiver Stress

Perhaps one of the hidden benefits of chronic care management is that managers can assess for caregiver strain or burden. Caregivers of those with chronic conditions, which often require an immense amount of care, are more susceptible to caregiver stress and burnout. Chronic care managers can monitor for this, as caregiver stress is harmful to both the caregiver and the person they care for.

Chronic Care Management, as offered at Long Life Care Management, can help manage the chronic care needs of your loved one while ensuring that their healthcare is always exceptional. If you are interested in learning more about how chronic care management can benefit you, give us a call at (404) 310-3567 or book a free consultation.