Chronic and Terminal Illness

Question 1

Chronic Illness

Answer 1

Illnesses that are prolonged and rarely cured. Eg diabetes, back pain, vision impairment, Parkinson’s, cancer, asthma, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, heart disease.

Question 2

Diagnosis of CI

Answer 2

Fear or uncertainty about future, impairment on functioning, identity shift, lifestyle changes, pain, threat to relationships and self-image. These depend on the age at diagnosis.

Question 3

Adapting to CI

Answer 3

Try to adjust to new circumstances, limitations and routines, find meaning of diagnosis, gain control over symptoms, restore self-esteem.

Question 4

Factors Influencing Adjustment to CI

Answer 4

Severity and prognosis of disease, cultural perceptions of health and illness, social support, expectancies, coping style, locus of control and personality traits.

Question 5

Interventions for CI

Answer 5

Education, support groups, relaxation and pain management, self-help groups, cognitive reappraisal training.

Question 6

Terminal Illness

Answer 6

Progressive deterioration in functioning that results in death.

Question 7

Impact of TI on Others

Answer 7

Distress, anxiety, depression and grief (often worse than the patients). Increased risk of mortality. Varies according to age and relationships between the patient and the TI person.

Question 8

Factors Influencing Adjustment to TI

Answer 8

Age, SES (financial burden), coping style, time left, pain management, quality of life.

Question 9

Caregiver Adaptation to TI

Answer 9

Social support, accepting reality of loss, knowledge of disease, adjusting to post-loss life religion, focusing on life not death and making goals for the future.