A Cardiac Program for Patients at End of Life - Heart 'n Home Hospice & Palliative Care, LLC
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A Cardiac Program for Patients at End of Life

Kandice Dickinson
Heart Health

Heart ‘n Home understands that you wish to remain at home and avoid numerous trips to the emergency room.  Our goal is to address your symptoms and concerns so that you can stay at home, comfortably. Heart ‘n Home has developed a unique Cardiac Program to meet your individual needs. The management of your cardiac disease takes a team effort and you are the key member on the team.  Our mission at Heart ‘n Home is to be your team and provide you with excellent care.

What you can expect from the Heart ‘n Home Cardiac Program:

• Regular visits from Nurses that are specialists in palliative and end-of-life care that can effectively anticipate, manage, and control your cardiac symptoms at home. The Heart ‘n Home Nurse will follow the direct orders of your physician.

• Patient education specifically designed for you and your family. If you have any questions about the contents of this booklet, please ask your Nurse.

• To be part of a team overseen by the palliative care certified Heart ‘n Home Chief Medical Officer. This team will work directly with your physician.

•  Medications given at the right amount to control symptoms and to have your medications arranged for and refilled as necessary.

• Additional support from a Heart ‘n Home Medical Social Worker, Hospice CNA, Spiritual Care Provider, and/or Volunteer at your request.

Coping with End Stage Heart Disease
Because your family and friends are affected by your illness, it is important to share your thoughts and feelings with them and ask for help when you need it. Sometimes just talking about your feelings with people who care about you can be beneficial.

Living with cardiac disease may mean dealing with a lot of different emotions. It is normal to have occasional feelings of frustration, sadness, depression, anxiety, and even anger. Many options are available to you, such as counseling and possibly medication, if needed, to help you better deal with these issues. If you are feeling stressed, talk to your Heart ‘n Home team. They can assist you in finding the best way to make you feel better.

Learn more about Congestive Heart Failure

Related Posts

Congestive Heart Failure: Hospice Can Help Alleviate and Control Symptoms

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Kandice Dickinson
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Heart failure stops the heart from pumping blood as it should, it doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped beating. The heart keeps working, but the body’s need for blood and oxygen isn’t being met.  If you or a loved one are suffering from cardiac disease, Heart ‘n Home can help.  Heart ‘n Home’s Cardiac Program meets the specialized needs of end-of-life cardiac patients.  We can help with:

  • Increasing patient/caregiver ability to manage illness at home.
  • Increasing the confidence of patient/caregiver to manage symptoms.
  • Specific Cardiac Plan of Care that monitors and manages symptoms and reduced episodes of crisis.
  • Reducing emergency room and hospital visits.

Signs of Heart Failure

  • Shortness of breath, especially when lying down.
  • Feeling tired and run-down.
  • Swelling in feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen.
  • Angina (pain or discomfort in the chest).
  • Weight gain from fluid buildup.
  • Confusion or unable to think clearly.

Causes of Heart Failure

  • Clogged arteries don’t let enough blood flow to the heart.
  • Past heart attack has done damage to the heart muscle.
  • Heart defects present since birth.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart valve disease.
  • Diseases of the heart muscle.
  • Infection of the heart and/or heart valves.

Next article:  High Blood Pressure and Those Who Are At Higher Risk.

(Adapted from the American Heart Association)

Hospice Care for Patients with End-Stage Heart Disease

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Kandice Dickinson
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Our Cardiac Program is designed to provide support developed with each individual’s needs in mind. Heart ‘n Home is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for our patients and families. Care is provided by Heart ’n Home staff including Medical Directors, Nurses, Medical Social Workers, Spiritual Care Providers, and Hospice CNAs. Our cardiac team can visit individuals in their home and develop a Plan of Care with the patients’ wishes and goals as the main focus.

Talk to your physician if you SAY YES to 3 or more of these signs or symptoms:

  • Hospital visit for heart failure in the past year.
  • Need help accomplishing activities of daily living.
  • Daily chest discomfort.
  • Experiencing swelling in feet and legs.
  • Shortness of breath, especially while lying down.
  • Frequent gain/loss of weight.
  • Tired most of the time.
  • Short of breath when doing daily chores.
  • Chest pain when doing daily chores.
  • Tired of going to the doctor’s office and hospital frequently.

With support from the Heart ‘n Home Cardiac Program, together we will strive to:

  • Increase patient and caregiver ability to manage patients illness at home.
  • Increase confidence of patient and caregiver to manage patient’s symptoms.
  • Develop a Plan of Care to monitor and manage symptoms, thereby reducing episodes of crisis.
  • Reduce emergency room and hospital visits.
  • Put patient goals and wishes first.

Learn more about understanding Congestive Heart Failure.

Contact your cardiac team at 1-800-HOSPICE (800-467-7423) to get the assistance needed to stay comfortable and in your home.

Heart-Disease

Working Together for Better Heart Care

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Kandice Dickinson
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Every year, one in four deaths are caused by heart disease. The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, Heart ‘n Home is proudly participating in American Heart Month.

Every 60 seconds, more than one person in the U.S. dies from a heart disease-related event. Unfortunately, there are individuals suffering right now with unmanaged symptoms from cardiac disease. The Heart ’n Home team can help! We have a specialized Cardiac Program structured around the needs of patients with end-stage heart failure. We can assist with:

• Specific Cardiac Plan of Care that monitors and manages symptoms and reduces episodes of crisis.
• Reducing emergency room and hospital visits.
• On-staff Pharmacist to help with drug therapy protocols.
• Caregiver support, increasing confidence to manage illness at home.

Many healthcare providers have made heart-health a focus to help Americans make improved health choices for reducing their risks of the disease. However, heart failure-related diseases are most common in the elderly population and that number continues to increase. Heart ‘n Home would like to work along side you in caring for end-stage heart disease patients. Call us today if you think someone may benefit from our hospice and palliative care services.

Tips for lowering your risk of heart disease:
• Watch your weight.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get active and eat healthy.

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