Did you know you can sell all or a portion of a life insurance policy, even term insurance?
(3 minute read)
Being diagnosed with a chronic disease is an unwelcome change for you and those close to you. A key part of minimizing the effect of illness on your close relationships is communication about your feelings, the feelings of your loved ones, and the new experiences you have to go through together. Here are some tips for talking to family about chronic disease.
- Get Support and Backup
Sometimes it’s easiest to start these conversations from a position of neutral authority. This means information from different resources about the condition, your prognosis, information about treatment options, and more. If you take notes or print out information, you will feel better prepared for the conversation and answering your loved ones’ questions. Backup could even mean asking a doctor, nurse, or social worker to be with you during this conversation in case you can’t or don’t want to answer some of those questions.
- Document Your Feelings
In the moment it’s not always easy to express ourselves and be respectful of others too. That’s why one strategy for helping your family understand what you are going through is to document your feelings and experiences beyond one conversation. If you write a journal, make a video journal, or record voice memos, these accounts can help your family learn more about the changes in your life. Talking and sharing might make you feel better too!
- Make Room for Their Feelings Too
Your family is no doubt anxious and fearful after hearing news of your diagnosis. When this comes with changes to diet and exercise habits or smoking and drinking, other feelings can come up too. It’s important to make space for your family member to voice their concerns and be reassured. For this reason, it’s sometimes a good idea to meet with family members individually to share the news and allow each to have their reactions. Or, you might ask one family member to spread the word and have follow up conversations with each person after they can process the news separately.
- Don’t Make It All You Talk About
Once the diagnosis is made, chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic kidney disease are often managed through lifestyle changes that can become a preoccupying topic of conversation. With diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, or stroke, treatment and the progress of the condition will be more on everyone’s mind. But no one wants to talk and think about illness all the time. Whether they are asking or you are telling, it’s important to remember to focus on other subjects too.
Communicate With Family About Chronic Illness
Every family will handle the news of a chronic disease diagnosis differently, just like every person’s health is unique. At the end of the day, cultivating compassion and love for each other is the purpose of a family. Though fully processing the news and significance of your diagnosis may take time and many conversations, as long as you stay committed to the spirit of your family you will succeed.
Did you know you can sell all or a portion of a life insurance policy, even term insurance? Selling an unwanted life insurance policy is no different than selling your car, home or any other valuable asset that will create immediate cash. Contact us today to learn more.
Leo LaGrotte
Life Settlement Advisors
llagrotte@lsa-llc.com
1-888-849-0887
