Dealing with chronic illnesses in your later years.
...a brush with cancer. She developed a basal-cell carcinoma on her face. Then in 2000, she had a procedure to eliminate cancer in her colon. Just recently she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which will require more treatments. Dealing with two or more chronic conditions is known as co-morbidity. Researchers have found that, among women aged 65 and older, 50 percent have at least two chronic diseases. This research shows that Ms. Fabian is one of the 50 percent of women that do have two or more chronic illnesses in our society. Chronic illnesses usually take a toll on the infected, but in Ms. Fabian’s case she has the Singing and Swinging Seniors to help carry through the rough times in her life. Eight years ago Marian founded the Singing and Swinging Seniors variety group that entertains people up to 80 times a year at hospitals, homes for the aged, and nursing homes. This is a great example of social support; the interactions among family, friends, neighbors, and programs that sustain and encourage individuals. Singing and Swinging Seniors is very similar to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program; a federally sponsored program in which older adults volunteer in schools, hospitals, and other social agencies. The only difference is that Ms. Fabian’s group doesn’t get federally funded, but they are supported by The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund. Ms. Fabian is one of the 40 percent of retired individuals that provide goods or services through volunteering. This article c...