Most illnesses are treatable, even if they cannot be cured. People can continue to live their lives, albeit with certain compromises. Unfortunately, some medical conditions can drastically impact a person’s wellbeing, ultimately resulting in death. This is called a terminal illness. A terminal illness can have a major impact on not only the patient, but their loved ones as well.
What Defines a Terminal Illness?
The term ‘terminal illness’ is reserved for conditions that cannot be cured or effectively treated. These illnesses are expected to shorten a person’s life expectancy and likely cause their death. Many are progressive, meaning they gradually worsen. In late stages, people with terminal illnesses can struggle to perform daily tasks.
It is important to mention that not all terminal illnesses are guaranteed to lead to death. However, they may impact a person’s overall health and leave them vulnerable to other conditions.
Examples of Terminal Illness
There is no definitive list of terminal illnesses. Being diagnosed with a condition does not guarantee that it will lead to death. However, certain conditions are more likely to become terminal. This can become more likely if they are not caught early.
Examples include:
- > Advanced cancer
- > Motor neurone disease
- > Congestive heart failure
- > Dementia (including Alzheimer’s)
- > Advanced lung disease
Being Diagnosed with a Terminal Illness
A terminal diagnosis rarely occurs without warning. Most people will have been receiving treatment for their condition for some time before being told it is terminal. This information will be provided by the healthcare professional who has been managing treatment, usually a doctor or consultant. A terminal diagnosis will only be given following tests and, when appropriate, treatment.
If treatment has been unsuccessful, the medical professional will arrange an appointment with the patient to pass on the news.
How Long Does a Terminal Illness Last?
By its definition, a terminal illness lasts until the death of the patient. However, how long this takes varies from person to person and condition to condition. Some people with a terminal illness can survive for years after diagnosis. Others may only have days left.
This uncertainty can make a terminal diagnosis difficult for those involved. There are certain to be questions and uncertainties. Often it is impossible for professionals to predict exactly how long a person has left to live.
However, a person with a terminal illness doesn’t have to stop living. Though additional care may be required, there are still ways for them to achieve fulfilment despite their diagnosis.
Caring for Terminal Illness
Due to the nature of terminal illness, most care will be focused on the comfort of the person. Curing a terminal illness may not be possible, but it is still possible for the person to feel supported and happy. This is known as palliative care and is intended to support a person through all aspects of their condition. Palliative care is focused on:
- > Managing symptoms
- > Offering emotional, physical, and spiritual support
- > Ensuring good quality of life
When living with a terminal illness, some forms of treatment may be stopped. This can be a troubling experience, especially when the person knows it’s because the treatment hasn’t been working. However, stopping some treatments can improve quality of life.
People living with a terminal illness often have a support team who can help them navigate through the worries of their diagnosis. Here are some ways a person with a terminal illness can be supported.
Getting Their Affairs in Order
A terminal diagnosis is a daunting reminder of the importance of planning ahead. A person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness should ensure they have a will in place before they pass. Furthermore, they should ensure any debts have been settled where possible. A support team, whether family, friends, or professionals, can help the person navigate the legalities and make the task easier.
Distractions
It’s natural for a terminal diagnosis to cause a lot of anxiety. However, it is also important to keep the mind busy to prevent negative thoughts from taking control. Whilst it is important to be mindful of the person’s limits, a hobby is an effective means of staying distracted. It could be something as laid-back as reading some of the books they’ve always meant to or ticking off more exciting parts of their bucket list.
Finding Peace
When a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness, it will likely feel unfair. They likely have many plans that may not come to fruition. Part of facing a terminal diagnosis is accepting how things have changed. Achieving this is different for everyone. Some will find solace from therapy or their family. Others may turn to religion. Whatever the case, the person’s support network can help them through this process.
Recovering from Terminal Illness
In most cases, terminal illnesses do not get better. However, in rare cases a person can recover, though it may be a slow process. Alternatively, a person with a terminal illness may experience relief from their symptoms even though the condition is not going away. This can make it easier to live day-to-day life despite their diagnosis. Remember, some people can live for years with a terminal diagnosis before passing away.
Terminal Illness Support
There are plenty of organisations who can offer additional support for people living with a terminal illness. You can find a list of these organisations on SupportLine.
Our Mission
Telecare Choice provide personal alarms for elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people so that they can remain safe and secure in their own homes. A personal alarm allows you to request help at the press of a button. When the alarm is activated, our Monitoring Team speak to you through the loudspeaker to find out what support is needed. They then inform emergency contacts and, if necessary, the emergency services.
You can find out more about Telecare Choice alarms by reading our quick guide. Order your Telecare Choice personal alarm today.
