Supportive Care is any kind of care or support that supplements your treatment and helps you live your best life. Examples include palliative care, pain management, emotional support, spiritual support and help from your community. Also included are self-care practices, and tools to help you become an effective advocate for yourself in health care decision-making.
David is one of the more than 50% of people in the U.S. who live with a chronic illness. He receives palliative care from an aid at home. The regular reiki sessions he receives as part of his care not only minimize his pain and symptoms, but also enable him to get out of the house and be social again.
By working together to understand what’s important to him, as well as what his goals and values are, David and his healthcare team have developed a treatment plan that has helped make his life better.
When Ayanna Dookie was diagnosed with lupus at age 31, she didn’t know anything about this chronic illness. She also wondered how it would affect her rising stand-up comedy career.
With the help of friends in the comedy community, she was able to find resources and support in helping managing her symptoms. Not only has she continued to perform at clubs across the country and rack up festival and TV credits, but she’s even found a way to joke about her chronic illness on stage.
Ruby was diagnosed with Rett syndrome was she was one year old. The rare disorder has left her almost entirely non-verbal and unable to walk. But through a variety of supportive care treatments that include aquatic therapy and craniosacral therapy, her movement has increased and the pain she suffers from chronic migraines and scoliosis have been greatly reduced.
Just as importantly, her mother, Jesse, has found ways to ingratiate Ruby into the community and give her valuable social interaction. Jesse also has found community herself through fundraising for Rett syndrome to help find a cure for her daughter.
From navigating insurance to finding resources in your area, get answers to some of the commonly asked questions about supportive care and chronic illness.
Get help advice and tips how to maximize your quality of life and minimize the challenges of living with a long-term illness.
Chronic illness shouldn’t control your life. There are plenty of small things you can do to remain active and keep doing the things that matters most to you.
Understanding what matters most to you enables you to create a treatment plan centered around those priorities.
Meaningful discussions with your loved ones and healthcare team can greatly improve the quality of your care.
Supportive Care Matters is about you. Tell use about the issues you face and how you have managed them. Let us know how we can help. Or share your story with others in the community facing similar journeys.
Supportive Care Matters is a non-profit initiative that relies on the generosity of donors. Your monetary contribution will have a lasting impact on our work to raise awareness of supportive care and improve the quality of life of people living with a chronic illness or disability.
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