Home Care Houston TX : Keeping Loved Safe and Healthy While Dealing With Congestive Heart Failure!

According to the American Heart Association, congestive heart failure basically means that the heart is too weak to pump enough blood throughout the body. While this may happen because of a heart defect or heart attack, it could also occur if the heart muscle becomes weaker over time due to weight gain, continued inactivity and other reasons.

When the heart cannot pump blood through the body, the kidneys do not get enough blood as a result, which means that less fluid exits the body through urine. This extra fluid can then collect in the lungs, around the eyes, in the liver and the legs. The collection of extra fluid is congestion, hence the term ‘congestive heart failure’.

Indicators

Patients with congestive heart failure generally get weary very easily and may seem short of breath a lot. Also, individuals may seem to gain weight due the fluid collection throughout the body.

Other problems include frequent urination, coughing, loss of appetite, sudden weight gain, especially in the ankles and feet, and a rapid heartbeat. Since these indications may be like to other health problems, a health care professional should make an genuine diagnosis if congestive heart failure is presumed.

Treatment

Sometimes, a medical professional will order a water pill, which will increase the frequency of urination to help remove the excess fluid from the body. Additionally, medication that helps relax the blood vessels can help the heart pump more efficiency and another medication can help the heart use more force in pumping. Ask your doctor for strategies for the acceptable medications for you or a loved one who has congestive heart failure.

Home Care Assistance

Many times, elderly patients with congestive heart failure may benefit from home care services since they are often weak, tired and out of breath. There is also regular diet, blood pressure, weight and pulse monitoring that should take place on a daily basis.

A private duty home care provider can help the patient with basic tasks around the house and monitor their symptoms. They can also assist with medication reminders.

In addition, a home care companion can help improve the client’s way of life by encouraging plenty of rest and elevating their feet for regular amounts of time every day.

Since the patient should also undertake a low-impact exercise program, home care companions can help get the client out of the house for a nice walk or follow other exercise programs suggested by their physician.

An additional benefit of hiring home care assistance for a patient with CHF is that the home care companion can keep an eye on the client’s diet, limiting salt content and encouraging a healthy diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein. Foods high in magnesium and potassium may be beneficial for heart patients.

Often times, a health practitioner will highly recommend restricted fluids for a congestive heart failure patient and this is something that the caregiver can monitor, as well as encouraging the right type and amount of liquids to drink.

Recording the client’s weight daily can help track how the patient’s fluid retention is progressing, as well as regular blood pressure monitoring on a daily basis.

On top of that, home care service providers can remind the senior to take medications as prescribed. Any symptoms or worsening of the condition, or other infections, illnesses or problems that may worsen CHF can be monitored and reported promptly to their doctor as needed.

Get Help

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, consider hiring home care services. There are many benefits for congestive heart failure patients, including proper daily care, reminders about medication and vitamins, following of the proper diet and recommendations for exercise and rest. While many patients can do a good job of taking care of themselves, a home care provider can help improve the client’s quality of life and may even help extend it!

To learn more about At Your Side Home Care and how we can help your loved one with home care, call 832-271-1600 today. We are a home care agency dedicated to helping our seniors, veterans and disabled stay safe at home in our communities.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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