We understand that living with a long-term health condition can deeply impact an individual’s well-being, affecting daily life in unique and sometimes challenging ways. Conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease are increasingly common among older adults, each presenting a range of effects that vary greatly from person to person.
At Prestige Nursing & Care, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling, healthy life, regardless of their health condition. With the right, personalised support, individuals can maintain a high quality of life in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
As a trusted care provider with almost 80 years of experience, we specialise in nurse-led care, helping clients and their families navigate the complexities of chronic illnesses with compassion and expertise.
What is a long-term health condition?
A long-term health condition is a medical issue that persists over time, often lasting months or even years, and typically requires ongoing management. Unlike acute illnesses, which come on suddenly and are resolved in a short period, long-term conditions can significantly impact a person’s daily life and overall well-being. Common examples include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.
Long-term health conditions often affect people differently, with symptoms varying in intensity and progression. Managing these conditions usually involves a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and supportive care. With the right support systems in place, individuals living with long-term conditions can continue to lead active, fulfilling lives tailored to their unique needs and abilities.
Common long term health conditions
Many people live with long-term health conditions that impact their quality of life and require ongoing care and management. These conditions often bring complex challenges, but with the right understanding and support, individuals can continue to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Here, we explore some of the most common long-term conditions, starting with dementia.
Dementia
Over 944,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a number expected to exceed one million within the next five years. Dementia is a broad term for a range of conditions that affect the brain, resulting in damage to nerve cells (neurons) that disrupt communication within the brain. This breakdown in messaging prevents the brain from properly coordinating functions, impacting both cognitive abilities and physical health.
There are more than 200 types of dementia, with the most common forms being Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and mixed dementia. While dementia primarily affects older adults, it can also occur in younger individuals. Early onset dementia, or “young-onset” dementia, can develop in people as early as their 40s and 50s.
More information is available through Dementia UK. In addition to many online resources, they have a helpline number that is always answered by Admiral nurses.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, speech, energy, bladder, eyes and bowels. The disease affects different people in different ways with symptoms and progression varying from person to person.
Parkinson’s UK is the leading charity in the UK helping people with Parkinson’s. They provide people with advice to manage the symptoms and can also signpost you to local community services for support. These services enable you to talk to others in the same situation as yourself.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and this can have unreversible effects depending upon the intensity of the stroke and the part of the brain that is affected. Whilst strokes more commonly affect older people, anyone can have a stroke. Pre-existing medical conditions and lifestyle factors like drinking, smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes are known to increase the risk.
Having a stroke can have a significant impact on not just the person who has had the stroke but also their family as often their ability to communicate is impacted.
The Stroke Association is the leading charity in the UK. It provides a helpline, information and advice about local services, rehabilitation and treatment, coping with emotions and lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of having another stroke.
Cancer
Sadly, one in two people will develop a form of the 200 types of cancer in their lifetime. Living with cancer and undergoing treatments may lead to feelings of loss, depression and anxiety all of which impact our overall well-being.
Macmillan Cancer Support is the leading cancer charity in the UK. It offers advice about managing symptoms effectively, information about available cancer treatments, and support for people coping with cancer, with a focus on emotional and practical issues.
Diabetes
There are 3.5 million people in the UK with a diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes UK estimates another 549,000 people are living with the condition but without a diagnosis.
There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2 – type 2 is the most common affecting 90% of those diagnosed. It is a condition that causes too much sugar to be produced in the bloodstream, which can be dangerous when untreated. Symptoms include needing to urinate frequently, feeling thirsty all the time, unexplained weight loss and feeling tired.
Continence issues
Many people get continence issues as they age. When a person is unable to store urine in the usual way, it can cause accidents referred to as incontinence. It is always worth contacting your GP to check if any other health conditions are causing incontinence, as these may be able to be treated. Equally, incontinence could be a symptom of another condition, which your GP can advise you on.
Exercise, training, and the use of continence aids can improve or manage continence problems. Your GP can refer you to a continence advisor for this type of advice and support.
Bladder and Bowel UK is a charity that supports people with continence issues. Their medical helpline offers support and guidance about continence issues and products.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints, causing discomfort, pain, and issues with mobility. While it is more common in older people, it can also affect younger people and gets gradually worse over time. Versus Arthritis is a charity that helps and supports those with arthritis. If you call them, they can provide advice and guidance on a range of treatments to manage pain and cope with the condition.
Funding for long-term health conditions
If you are living with a complex health condition that impacts your life, you may be entitled to Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC), a form of funding entirely managed and funded by the NHS. While CHC funding does not consider your financial circumstances, the qualification criteria are rather strict.
At Prestige Nursing & Care, we help families up and down the country better understand how they can finance care, whether through public funding or financing initiatives that can contribute to the overall cost.
If you are living with a complex need and require nurse-led care, you may be entitled to healthcare funding to receive care directly in your own home. Learn more.
Home is best for long-term care
Our service is nurse-led and our carers are trained to provide care and support for complex, terminal and other medical conditions that impact how you live your life.
We also adopt a partnership approach to working with local authority partners, NHS services, multidisciplinary teams, therapists and other community bodies involved in a person’s care. This means we are well-informed so we can provide continuity of care ensuring the right care is in place at the right time, while responding efficiently to changing needs and strengthening care provision when required.
Our responsive and reliable local care at home service means we can provide care and support quickly, often within 24 hours. We provide a fully managed care and support service in over 30 locations in the heart of communities across England and Scotland, so our local experts can quickly implement care packages, working in collaboration with local healthcare professionals who are involved in your care.
How can we support long term conditions?
Our established nurse-led service cares for generations of people – from babies who require paediatric care at home, to children with a learning disability through to adolescents who have had a life-changing accident to adults and older people living with neurological conditions or other physical disabilities.
Our care is aimed at facilitating independence, social interaction and emotional well-being whilst supporting people to fulfil their potential and live a purposeful and meaningful life.
We are experts in the specialist care of conditions that impact a person’s ability to live well, including:
- Neurological conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease
- Physical disabilities such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy
- Palliative care for those who are nearing the end of their life
We provide nurse-led clinical interventions including:
- Respiratory and airway support
- Tracheostomy management
- Feeding support (including PEG feeding)
- Stoma and catheter care.
Call us on 0808 239 1525 and our friendly care experts will discuss your care and support needs. You can also fill out our online enquiry form or email info@prestige-nursing.co.uk. We provide impartial guidance and advice so you make the right choice for you and your family.
