The Cost of Chronic Disease, and Caregivers’ Terminal Illness Problems
A chronic illness can cause significant financial, psychological, and physical problems for both patients and caregivers. In 2018, a Journal of General Internal Medicine study found that chronic illnesses cost Americans $3.7 trillion annually, which is 17.8% of their gross domestic product (Gustafson, et al. 2018). This can lead to reduced quality of living and financial burden for both patients and their family members. As caregivers of patients who are terminally ill, they often have to deal with significant emotional and physical difficulties. In a 2020 study, the Journal of Palliative Medicine found that terminally ill patient caregivers often suffer from high levels of anxiety, stress and depression (Hudson, 2020). You may face other physical problems when caring for loved ones such as stress, sleep deprivation or physical strain. This is something that I am not able to speak about as a language expert. Through my research and training, however, I’ve learned the serious challenges chronic and terminal illnesses can present for caregivers and patients. I have come to appreciate the need for support and resources in this area. Cont…