The Keys to Understanding Heart Failure and Home Health CareHeart disease is the number one cause of disability and death in the United States todayaccording to the CDC, some 85.6 million Americans live with some form of cardiovascular disease. A major and growing public health problem, an estimated 6.2 million people in our country suffer specifically from heart failure.What is Heart FailureHeart failure is a chronic, long-term condition in which the heart doesnt pump blood as efficiently or effectively as it should. Despite the name, heart failure does not mean that the heart has actually failed; it means that the heart muscle has weakened or has a mechanical problem that limits its ability to function. As a result, the heart can no longer meet the demands of the body and there is not enough oxygen-rich blood reaching the cells.As the damage progresses, it will lead to fluid building up in the lungs, which will cause shortness of breath. The kidneys begin to retain water and sodium, which can lead to kidney failure. Edema sets in and can affect the extremities and other organs.The stages of heart failure:Stage A: A person has not yet developed heart failure but has a high risk due to one or more pre-existing conditions, such as:High blood pressureCoronary artery diseaseDiabetesStage B: A person has not developed heart failure or its symptoms, but has received a diagnosis of systolic left ventricular dysfunction.Stage C: A person has ongoing or past symptoms of heart failure and currently has structural heart disease.Stage D: A person has advanced heart failure that is difficult to manage with standard treatment.There is no cure, however with medical intervention, treatment options and lifestyle changes, the condition can be managed quite well.How Will Heart Failure Affect Quality of Life?Heart failure is a leading cause of hospitalization for those over the age of 65 and represents a significant clinical burdenthere are few diseases that take a greater toll on our healthcare system. About half of hospital readmissions are related to the comorbidities and/or mismanagement of the symptoms of heart failure.One of the biggest concerns for patients post discharge is how to live with this disease and have access to healthcare during this ongoing journey. Heart failure often goes hand-in-hand with other serious health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, kidney issues, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Most people with heart failure have at least one other significant cardiovascular condition, making living at home independently a challenge that needs careful monitoring.Patients will need to rely on more support and resources; those who lack this intervention will often end up readmitted.It is crucial to implement appropriate interventions through comprehensive discharge instructions and having a plan of care in place to maintain stability and quality of life. With proper management of medications, suitable lifestyle changes and a specifically tailored care plan, patients with heart failure can live longer, healthier, more comfortable lives.Amedisys provides an interdisciplinary heart failure program with a range of home health care services to help patients manage their condition at home, supporting their health and wellness and promoting independence. Our compassionate, interdisciplinary team works collaboratively with physicians to determine the best course of action, and also often includes specialized and skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and social work.Our approach is also to provide patients and caregivers with the education that they need to monitor symptoms and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We consider patients and their support network to be valuable members of our team, as they make a tremendous difference in enhancing and improving quality of life.We help patients manage their conditions by providing them with:Education about medicationsProper diet and nutrition informationTechniques for improvements in strength and mobilityDaily exercise routinesHelp to monitor vital signsMonitoring heart failure symptomsWeight monitoring and managementTips on what to do if symptoms worsenThe goal is a combined prevention and symptom management strategy aimed at maintaining wellness, slowing disease progression and reducing the need for emergency room visits and hospital readmission. By providing education and skilled transitional and continuing care, we support many patients' preference to recover and remain in their homes.This article was submitted by Amedisys with locations in Bay Minette, Brewton, Citronelle, Foley, Mobile, Monroeville, and Thomasville, Alabama.

What Conditions and Illnesses Can Home Health Care Treat?Heart Failure or Other Heart ConditionsStrokeDiabetesCOPD or Other Respiratory ConditionsAlzheimer's/Dementia/ConfusionCancerMultiple Chronic ConditionsSerious Illness (Pneumonia, Infection, Flu)Joint Replacement or Surgery (Knee, Hip, Shoulder)Falls, Dizziness or Loss of BalanceTrouble Eating/SwallowingDepressionAmputationMedications1. Heart Failure or Other Heart ConditionsWhen you or a loved one has heart problems, like heart attack or heart failure, you need a support system to recover and establish a healthy lifestyle. Home health care:Provides the medical care needed to recoverMonitors for early warning signsHelps lower anxietyWorks one-on-one to teach techniques for managing heart conditions2. StrokeCoordinated nursing and specialty therapy services can help people who have suffered a stroke recover functionality and regain as much independence as possible. Physical, occupational and speech therapy can help you regain the ability to do everydaytasks and communicate wants and needs with loved ones.3. DiabetesLiving with diabetes requires constant vigilance to monitor and adjust blood sugar and intervene at the first sign of problems. If you or your loved one has been recently diagnosed with diabetes, home health care can teach you how to manage your condition andprevent the serious consequences of advanced diabetes. When dealing with uncontrolled diabetes, proper self-management with added medical care is essential. Home health care can help you or your loved one recover from complications like slow-healing wounds, infections and amputations. Amedisys home health nurses and therapists are experts at helping patients heal from these complications.4. COPD or Other Respiratory ConditionsChronic respiratory conditions like COPD sap a persons energy. It takes so much effort just to breathe that fatigue, muscle weakness and malnutrition are common. It takes careful management to prevent flare-ups and maintain quality of life. For homeboundpatients, home health may be able to help. Home health nurses and therapists can work together to help you or your loved one have more energy by:Identifying triggers that cause flare-upsImproving exercise tolerance and strengthPerforming daily tasks more efficientlyInstructing how to manage shortness of breath5. Alzheimers/Dementia/ConfusionDementia and other diseases that affect the mind are some of the most difficult and stressful. Fortunately, treatments exist that can improve quality of life and help keep you or your loved one home longer. For example:Physical therapy may help you or your loved one increase strength and mobility.Occupational therapy can address daily routines. It can also train caregivers to provide appropriate cues and support for patients with cognitive limitations. This improves the patients ability to do daily activities. It can also reduce agitation or confusion.Speech therapy can maximize the patients preserved cognitive abilities. The speech pathologist helps educate the family and caregivers as the patients disease progresses.For patients with behavioral issues, a psychiatric nurse can figure out if medication is making agitation, aggression or other problems worse. They can also help recognize and treat depression, which can have many of the same symptoms as dementia.A medical social worker can help connect family caregivers with community support resources.6. Cancer Those undergoing treatment for cancer face the risk of secondary infections, side effects and poorly healing wounds. Home health care helps manage these complications and promote healing so you or your loved one can focus on fighting the cancer.7. Multiple Chronic ConditionsIf you or a loved one is dealing with multiple chronic conditions, youre likely taking numerous medications and seeing several specialists. It may be a difficult balancing act trying to manage all the symptoms, medications and side effects.Home health care helps:Manage MedicationsMonitor early warning signsTeach you and your caregiver how to manage your healthImprove your quality of lifeConnect you with community resources and home care aides to help with daily needs like bathing and dressing8. Serious Illness (Pneumonia, Infection, Flu)When you or a loved one is recovering from a serious illness, the care and monitoring of a skilled nurse can help speed healing. A home health nurse can administer IV medicine and recognize early warning signs to reduce the risk of serious complications.9. Joint Replacement or Surgery (Knee, Hip, Shoulder)Recovering from a joint replacement often requires specialized physical and/or occupational therapy to quickly regain flexibility and strength. With limited mobility after surgery, home health care can play an important role in getting you or your loved one back on your feet.10. Falls, Dizziness or Loss of BalanceFalls account for 95% of all hip fractures in the elderly. They are the leading cause of death in those over 65. And 15% of people discharged from the hospital will be readmitted within a month due to a fall or fall-related injury. Preventing falls is a high priority.Approximately two-thirds of all injuries reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention occurred in the bathtub or shower, and about half were precipitated by bathing or showering, slipping, or getting out of the tub or shower. To help decrease the risk of a fall, in-home physical and occupational therapists:Work to improve your strength, mobility, balance and motor skillsAddress environmental risks in the homeMake recommendationsProvide techniques and equipment to make you safer in your home11. Trouble Eating/SwallowingIf you or your loved one is having trouble swallowing, youre not alone. Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) affect approximately 15 million Americans. A speech-language pathologist can evaluate swallowing by looking at your strength, muscle range of motion, andability to safely eat or drink. Based on this evaluation, they determine the best exercises, positions and techniques for your needs.12. DepressionWhen confronted by serious health issues and decreasing independence, many people develop depression. But growing older doesnt have to mean living with depression. A multidisciplinary home health care approach may help.Nurses and therapists can provide skilled care and teach self-management for chronic conditions. Behavioral health specialists can help you or your loved one overcome grief, depression and anxiety.13. AmputationIf you or your loved one has lost a limb, you may benefit from specialized rehabilitation. This may include:Home nursing to help healingPhysical and occupational therapy to regain strength and as much independence as possible14. MedicationsCertain medications are frequently involved in medication-related hospitalizations. Examples include:Coumadin/Warfarin and other anti-clotting drugsInsulin and oral diabetic medicationsDifficulty managing medications is a dangerous situation. Medication problems account for as much as one-third of all emergency hospitalizations among seniors. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your medication schedule and what to do if you forget a dose. You might ask for a medication diary or pill box that could help manage medications. A doctor may prescribe home health care to teach you or your loved one about medications and monitor your condition to prevent complications. Home health care can help treat other conditions and issues as well. Click here to take our home health care assessment to find out if home health care is right for you or a loved one. Or call your local Amedisys center and well be glad to answer anyquestions you have.