Elizabeth Taylor, one of my favorite classic movie stars passed away last week due to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). You probably hear about CHF all the time, but do you know what it is and what can be done to treat it? Here's the deal on CHF:
CHF isn't curable, but it is treatable and there is a lot that can be done to promote comfort and increase life expectancy.
CHF means that the heart can no longer pump enough blood to supply the body's needs, typically due to heart attack, congenital defect or heart disease. Because the heart cannot pump as it normally would, blood can build up in areas where it typically doesn't. This fluid build up on the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the arms and legs translates to a lack of oxygen and nutrition to organs, which damages them and reduces their ability to work properly. It also can be quite uncomfortable, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and fluid overload in the arms and legs.
Millcreek Home Health and Hospice cares for many, many seniors with CHF for both home health and hospice. For details on how we provide stellar care for CHF patients on Home Health check out our past post here. If CHF progresses untreated, it can be a terminal disease and patients may require hospice care. Because hospice focuses on making people as comfortable as possible, Millcreek offers the following care protocol:
· Frequent Nursing visits to monitor for increased pain, discomfort & any change in condition.
· All medications related to heart failure and all medical equipment are provided free of charge.
· Management of fluid overload to promote maximum comfort
· Massage Therapy
· Volunteer Services to provide companionship & respite for caregivers
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