Help for people managing long term health conditions at home

The HSE in the south east is eager to remind people living at home and managing long term health conditions that resources are available to them during the Covid-19 restrictions.

People living with a long-term health condition may be more at risk of serious illness if they get coronavirus and need to take extra care to protect themselves. It is important that they continue to manage their health.

A long term health condition is one that lasts longer than six months and that can be managed but not cured. Examples include Asthma, COPD,

Diabetes, Heart Conditions and Stroke.

A leaflet produced by the HSE (see https:// www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/selfmanagement/ living-well-programme/living-well-programme. html) provides practical and clear information to support people to manage continuing conditions and to stay well.

The resource was developed by the National Self-management Support Co-ordinator Team and approved by the National Clinical Care Programmes for Diabetes, Respiratory and Heart Failure.

Kate O’ Connor, Self Management Support Co-ordinator for Chronic Conditions for South

East Community Healthcare said a lot has changed over the last few weeks and it can be hard for someone living with a long-term health condition to know where to look for support and advide.

‘We put together this leaflet to help people to continue to look after their long term health condition and to remind them that support is still available. Right now it is more important than ever that people seek help early if their condition worsens. GPs are still there for all who need them’.

The key messages are: Continue to monitor your long-term health condition; continue to take your medications; mind your mental health; eat well; keep active; stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake

‘We would also remind people that the five local authorities in the South East have set up a COVID-19 Community Call service in their areas. The Community Call service has a phone line available 7 days a week. The phone line is for high risk people or those asked to cocoon. You can ring the phone line to get help with deliveries of shopping, food, medicine and fuel’, said Kate.

The Community Response Forum help line for Wexford is (053) 919 600.