Battling a chronic disease or any type of disease can be an extremely difficult thing. Many times sick patients struggle because they don’t have the support of their family and friends, and other times they do, but that’s still not enough. Luckily there are resources that are available for free, from organizations like:
- American Cancer Society
- Alzheimer’s Society
- American Diabetes Association
- National Kidney Foundation
- American Lung Association
- Epilepsy Foundation
- Lupus Foundation of America
- American Heart Association
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
How Can These Organizations Help?
24-hour hotlines
Many times a patient battling cancer can feel physically and emotionally drained. They don’t know what they have, how it got there, and want answers in a language that they can understand. Many organizations like the American Cancer Society have hotlines where you can call and ask all the questions you have about what you’re going through. Most national organizations have 24-hour hotlines with 1-800 numbers listed on their websites. Patients can get answers to specific questions from trained health experts.
Resources
Contacting organizations can give you access to services, medical equipment, transportation and even financial programs. When you’re admitted at a hospital, usually a social worker asks you a list of questions such as how you’re paying your hospital bills, if you will need transportation, or special medical equipment, etc. If you need help, it might be a good idea to contact these organizations that can help you find the resources that you need and many times they are covered by your insurance or another non-profit.
When you’re diagnosed with an illness, more than likely you know nothing about the disease and a big part of the recovery process is education. You need to know what treatment will be like, what foods you need to eat or take out from your diet, and even tips to make things easier during your everyday activities. Most organizations can help educate you by simply having you talk to a professional or even take a class, where you can not only learn, but also meet others that are going through the same thing.
Support Groups
Finding a support group can be a difficult thing to find, especially if you’re battling a rare disease. Foundations have a lot of experience finding support groups where people share similar stories, difficulties, and get the emotional support they need. If you’re shy or just don’t have the time to attend these meetings, you can always find support groups online. Using social media is a great way to find support groups on sites like Facebook where there are others sharing ideas, articles, tips, and other useful information.
Being diagnosed with a disease can be an extremely painful and emotional roller-coaster, but you don’t have to do it alone. Do your research online, talk to your nurses, to your social worker, brainstorm for ideas, and get the resources you need for yourself or your family member. Don’t just sit there with your arms crossed, get the help you need because you’re not alone.