How Can Senior In-Home Care Help Those with Congestive Heart Failure?

Living with Congestive Heart Failure can be challenging, as it often alters the individual’s life.

Not only will the person affected by CHF have to change their lifestyle, but he or she will have to live with the symptoms and side effects of the heart condition. Individuals living with Congestive Heart Failure may experience a lack of appetite, shortness of breath, swollen limbs, weakness and general fatigue. This can make it difficult for them to go about their daily tasks and routines, interrupting their quality of life.

How Can a Caregiver Help Those with Congestive Heart Failure?

An in-home caregiver can help individuals with Congestive Heart Failure accomplish the tasks that he or she may otherwise have a hard time completing. In-home caregivers provide several nonmedical services to those with CHF and can help them feel as though they can continue to live their life to the fullest, despite their diagnosis. Nonmedical in-home caregivers can assist individuals with Congestive Heart Failure with the following:

• Meal preparation and grocery shopping can relieve the client from an otherwise very monotonous daily or weekly task. An in-home caregiver can assist and individual with their weekly grocery runs, as well as preparing nutritious and delicious meals for them. This will give the individual the nutrients that he or she needs, while allowing them to rest and prevent them from straining themselves from doing too much.
• Light housekeeping assistance allows the individual with Congestive Heart Failure to stay off of their feet and prevent them from exerting too much energy that can leave them in pain, shortness of breath or feeling weak. By having a caregiver there to assist with light housekeeping tasks, not only will the individual be able to rest while the chores and being done, he or she can also live in a clean environment that is conducive to healing and happiness.
• Transportation assistance gives the individual impacted by Congestive Heart Failure a way to get to where they need to be. Whether it is a doctor’s appointment, a social visit or to pick up medications, an in-home caregiver can make sure that the individual gets to their destination safely and on time.
• Medication reminders can give those living with CHF peace of mind that he or she will always be on track on their prescribed care plan. An in-home caregiver can remind the individual to take the proper dosage of medication at the correct time. This is especially helpful as medicine reminders for the elderly with CHF may help save their lives.
• Companionship and comradery can improve the overall mood and general outlook on life from an individual living with Congestive Heart Failure. This is likely a hard time for them to adjust to their new lifestyle, causing them to possibly alienate themselves from their loved ones. Having an in-home caregiver to not only assist with their daily tasks but lending themselves to providing a support system for the individual with heart failure. A caregiver can give the individual with heart failure the shoulder he or she needs to cry on, an ear to listen and a helping hand when they need it the most.

Additionally, one of the biggest advantages to having an in-home caregiver assisting an individual living with congestive heart failure is to be aware of the signs and symptoms that the individual may need to seek medical attention for. While a caregiver is present in the home, he or she can look out for signs of a heart attack and other concerning symptoms or complications such as fluid buildup, shortness of breath or high blood pressure. In the event of a serious problem, the caregiver is trained to call for medical attention and could ultimately be the difference between the individual living or passing away due to complications from heart failure.

How In-Home Care Benefits the Family

Hiring an in-home caregiver benefits more than just the individual living with Congestive Heart failure. The family members, or close friends, can also reap the benefits of hiring a professional caregiver to help managing Congestive Heart Failure and caring for their loved one. They may fear their loved one is in danger of experiencing a heart attack or are at risk for an extended hospital stay, causing the family and friends to feel responsible for their longevity and care plan. When a loved one is diagnosed with an illness or disease, such as heart failure, it is common for friends and family to feel as though they need to take care of them.

This is natural, but many support systems do not realize that there are options for them. Respite care is the act of a professional caregiver taking care of an individual so that their primary or familial caregiver can take a much-needed and well-deserved break from their duties as a caregiver. Respite care can allow the familial caregiver to take time to rest, recharge, go on a staycation  or simply tend to the other aspects of their life that they feel may need more consideration.

Congestive Heart Failure is a very serious heart disease that heavily impacts an individual’s quality of life, outlook on life and their lifestyle. With the help of a professional in-home caregiver, he or she can continue to live a happy and healthy life, despite their condition.