Older adults living with a long-term illness, like diabetes, chronic pain or Alzheimer’s disease, may feel isolated and hopeless. Even with support from caregivers, it can be hard to cope with the reality of having an incurable or recurring condition.
Although you may feel alone in your struggle, there are thousands of other people in the world living with illness—including some well-known celebrities.
Here are some who made the news recently for opening up about their chronic conditions and sharing how they cope:
Celine Dion: Stiff person syndrome
“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me hope. I’m working hard with my support medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again. … I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery. This is my focus and I’m doing everything I can to recuperate.”
Source: YouTube
Chris Hemsworth: heightened risk of Alzheimer’s disease (APOE4 gene)
“If you look at Alzheimer’s prevention, the benefit of preventative steps is that it affects the rest of your life. It’s all about sleep management, stress management, nutrition, movement, fitness. It’s all kind of the same tools that need to be applied in a consistent way.”
Source: BBC
Selena Gomez: Lupus
“Develop a close relationship with your doctors, tell them everything you’re experiencing and bring questions with you. Connect with people who know what you’re coping with because they also have lupus. … Listen to your body, and if your energy is limited, just focus on what you really want or need to do.”
Source: Lupus Research Alliance
Christina Applegate: Multiple sclerosis
“I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition. It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. … As one of my friends that has MS said, ‘We wake up and take the indicated action.’ And that’s what I do.”
Source: Fox News
Shania Twain: Lyme disease
“I’ve learned that I could get my voice into a certain place with a lot of effort. I’m never going to have my old voice again. I’m OK with that. I’ve found a new voice. And I like it.”
Source: Today
Venus Williams: Sjögren’s syndrome
“When you can’t be who you want to be because you are being held back by your physical health, remember that everything counts and being able to do even something is better than nothing. …There are some days when you can’t do anything, but that day won’t be every day. Think about the things you can accomplish instead of what you can’t accomplish, don’t be afraid of what you can’t do.”
Source: YouTube
Nick Jonas: Type 1 diabetes
“There are going to be days that are tougher than others, and it’s just important not to get down on yourself. It’s a journey, and if you can take a deep breath in those tough moments and allow yourself to have a beat to reset, then it’s going to be OK.”
Source: Beyond Type 1
Lady Gaga: Fibromyalgia
“Everyone’s body and condition is different. … When my body goes into a spasm, one thing I find really helps is [the] infrared sauna. … They come in a large box form as well as a low coffin-like form and even some like electric blankets. You can also look around your community for an infrared sauna parlor or homeopathic center that has one.”
Source: Instagram
Hugh Jackman: Basal cell carcinoma
“Basal cell carcinoma is just something you have to deal with. It’s cancerous. It will grow. You just have to get it out. … I go every three months for checkups. It’s the new normal for me. My doctor says I’ll likely have more, and if that’s your cross to bear in life, you should be so lucky.”
Source: People
