VISITING ANGELS JASPER, AL 205-388-9353
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Talking to Your Family About Health

Talking to Your Family About Health

Your family’s health history is one of the most significant factors in signifying your potential health risks. Whether it is heart disease, dementia, cancer, or diabetes, if you have a relative who suffered from a health condition, it puts you at greater risk for that same disease. Genes play a significant role in your overall health, so talking to your loved ones about their health is vital to better understanding your physical and mental well-being. 

What are Hereditary Conditions?

Hereditary conditions are health complications that run in the family. It happens when you inherit an altered gene from your parents that increases your risk for a specific health condition. A few common hereditary conditions include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. 

Just because you have an inherited gene doesn’t mean you’ll develop the condition. However, it’s good to know your parents’ and grandparents’ health concerns to understand your risk for various diseases better. If you are a senior with children and grandchildren, ensure you’re open about your health, so they know what to look out for as they age. 

Tips for Talking to Loved Ones About Health

Discussing your health or asking a loved one about their health can feel uncomfortable. Health feels like a private thing, and while you have the right to privacy about your health, talking to your loved ones can lead to a healthier family. 

Keep it casual

Talking to loved ones about your health doesn’t have to be a big production. If you have something concerning your health, keep the conversation casual. Tell your immediate family what’s happening, but if you’re not ready to discuss specifics, tell them upfront. It’s okay to share health updates without providing details about your treatment or how you’re handling it. 

Practice empathy

Remember to practice empathy, whether you’re sharing news about your health or asking a loved one about theirs. Talking about health can be a touchy topic, so put yourself in the other person’s shoes. If your loved one is telling you about a condition they’ve developed, respect their boundaries and don’t pry if they’re not ready to share all the details. On the flip side, if your loved one asks you about your health, try to act defensively. Instead, to think about why they’re asking. They might have had a health scare and are trying to collect information, so they know how to proceed with treatment. 

Keep conversations limited to the immediate family

Hereditary diseases generally only affect parent-child relationships. If you’re a senior with a genetic condition, you only need to talk to your children and siblings. You don’t have to worry about contacting cousins and distant relatives to share the news. If you have a large family with many siblings and children, choose one or two to talk to, and have them pass the information along if it makes you more comfortable. 

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you’re an older adult living with a hereditary condition and need assistance caring for yourself, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our professional caregivers can perform various non-medical tasks to help you live comfortably and safely at home. Duties include light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal preparations, personal grooming, and transportation. 

Our Jasper office serves those in Jasper and the communities of Walker County. If you’d like to learn more about our at-home care services, call us at 205.388.9353 or message us online.

Serving Jasper and the Communities of Walker County

Visiting Angels JASPER, AL
1634 Hwy 78 East
Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: 205-388-9353

Serving Jasper and the Communities of Walker County

Visiting Angels JASPER, AL
1634 Hwy 78 East
Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: 205-388-9353