Patient Education Resource Center: CHF

As a national leading provider of senior healthcare services, Consulate Health Care is pleased to provide patient education resources for the health conditions that are most prevalent among our elderly population. Below, you will find the topics for each of the nine educational resources. By clicking on any of these topics, you will be able to access information about the medical condition, symptoms, treatment and much more. We hope you find these resources helpful and will consider the compassionate and caring services of Consulate Health Care for all of your senior healthcare needs.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Blood vessels in the heart are narrow, stiff or blocked

Previous heart attack (Myocardial Infarction)

Heart muscle damaged where the scar tissue has poor pumping ability

Enlarged heart (Cardiomyopathy)

Hearts can expand in size from blood flow problems, infections and substance abuse

Overworked Heart

The muscle of the heart can become compromised from the following conditions: high blood pressure, heart valve, kidney or thyroid disease, diabetes, anemia, emphysema and birth defects.

Medication

Your Primary Care Provider may prescribe medications to decrease how hard your heart is working or drugs that help your heart beat at a more regular pace. Drugs may be ordered to improve breathing by opening the airways better. Additionally, medication may be ordered to remove excess fluid from the body (diuretics). Medications may be ordered to control other conditions, that are complicating or contributing to your heart failure such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, infections, Diabetes or sinus congestion. When the nurses at the care center provide you with your medications, let them know if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms or discomfort from the medications.

Oxygen

Can be delivered to you by mask or through nasal prongs if ordered by your Primary Care Provider. An oxygen machine that “concentrates” the oxygen in the air and delivers it to you may be placed in your room. While you are out and about in the care center, oxygen can be provided through portable tanks and each one generally lasts about three hours. Staff can change tanks as needed. The Clinical staff members may monitor the level of oxygen in your blood stream. This is done with a device that clips onto the end of your finger. Levels of oxygen may be adjusted based on the findings of this device called a “Pulse Ox”.

NEVER SMOKE NEAR OXYGEN AT ANY TIME. OXYGEN IS FLAMMABLE. SMOKING WITH OXYGEN CAN CAUSE SEVERE BURNS AND EVEN DEATH. IT IS DANGEROUS TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

DO NOT SMOKE ANYMORE. Please discuss ways in which the team can assist you in achieving this important goal.

Monitoring

The clinical team at the care center will be evaluating and assessing you and will update your Primary Care Provider as indicated. Primary Care Providers will have access to your weight, breathing patterns, vital signs, oxygen levels, excess body fluid, lab reports, x-ray findings, fatigue, anxiety, pain, appetite, changes in elimination and responses to medications. Nurses strive to be helpful, effective, efficient, exercise good judgment, and to render care using their heart and hands.

Diet

You may feel very tired after eating a big meal. Smaller more frequent meals may work better for you. Sugar intake may be adjusted if you are a Diabetic. Your Primary Care Provider may prescribe vitamins and minerals for you such as supplemental potassium. If you are overweight, your heart is working even harder. The dietician at the care center may visit and discuss healthy choices and weight loss programs that meet your needs.

Rest

Take sufficient rest periods. It is best to conserve energy, preventing excessive fatigue and shortness of breath. Promote times of relaxation. Use comforting bedtime rituals to promote sleep and plan ways to limit sleep disturbances. Attempt sleep only when you are sleepy.

Therapy

You may receive rehabilitative services at the care center. The therapists are part of your team in planning your care to reach your goals. They can assist you in gradually increasing activity and slowly improving your endurance and exercise tolerance, if you are capable. The therapists can coach you on breathing exercises to improve air flow.

Anxiety Relief

Medications may be prescribed to reduce anxiety. Anxiety can produce ineffective breathing patterns. Relocate to a quiet and calm environment when breathless. Call the nursing staff when breathing becomes more difficult creating increased nervousness.

Prevent Infections

Visitors coming to see you should not be sick.

Avoid sitting near another resident who seems to be coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands regularly. Continue excellent oral hygiene, even if you are wearing a nasal cannula. Drink sufficient amounts of water, even if you have some ankle swelling, unless limited by your physician.

Care Planning

The Nurses, Social Workers and Managed Care Coordinators work to provide comfort to you and those you love in making thoughtful decisions with a greater focus on advanced care planning. Care planning efforts involve quality of life issues and the appointment of a Responsible Person. Advance Directives should be considered and addressed. Advance Care Planning can help you to face exacerbations of the disease in a way that provides you with the highest quality of life in alignment with your goals and beliefs. Strategies can be designed that try to align with the wishes of each resident. The effects of re-hospitalization should be explored to determine if improved health is achievable and if the resident could truly benefit from another hospital admission. Education can be provided to learn more about palliative, comforting care for those residents with life limiting illness.