Chronic illness can be defined as "the irreversible presence accumulation, or latency of disease states or impairments that involve the total human environment for supportive care and self-care, maintenance of function and prevention of further disability" (class notes, Sept. 11, 2003). In other words, chronic illness affects the entire lives of those affected and of those around them, physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Chronic illness, most common in older adults, is composed of a multitude of other health complications. Although chronic illnesses affect the younger population, they are more common in older adults. Some types of chronic illnesses include, but are not limited to, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, stroke, urinary incontinence, as well as visual and hearing impairments. These illnesses, along with the many others affect the live of millions of people all over the world, and the management of a chronic illness "can profoundly affect the lives and identities of the patient, caregiver and family" (Lewis, Heitkemper & Dirksen 5th Ed., 2000). Chronic illnesses and can be naturally occurring or genetically inherited, and although there are no known cures for most of these illness, there are medications and treatments that are available to control and contain the illness so that the affected person can lead a relatively normal life. It is important for caregivers, especially nurses, to remember that maintaining the quality of life for the person affected is essential for their well being as well as the maintaining control of the disease. .
Many chronic illnesses present themselves with obvious physically altering symptoms. Multiple sclerosis, a disease where there is total loss of function of body parts due to blocked impulses in the brain, is physically obvious to the whole of society. It is understood that the person affected has an impairment caused by whatever reason, and it is accepted.