Heart Disease / Failure

According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is a major cause of disability in the United States. Many types of heart disease including congestive heart failure (CHF) and coronary artery disease affects more than 13 million Americans. Those living with end-stage CHF and terminal heart disease often make frequent doctor’s office, emergency room and hospital visits. More than one million people in the United States are admitted to inpatient settings for heart failure each year. Many of these hospital visits for breathing difficulties and fatigue could be prevented with the support of hospice care.

People with end-stage heart disease may experience frequent episodes of:

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Repeated hospitalizations or ER trips.

These patients may also have advanced CHF or other advanced coronary disease (chronic ischemic heart disease, left-sided heart failure, previous myocardial infarction) and experience:

• Poor response to diuretics (sometimes called water pills) and vasodilators (medicines that dilate, or open, blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily).
• Abnormal heart rate.
• Decreasing alertness – patient is emotionally withdrawn, sleeping more or having increased difficulty with comprehension.

• Pain Management – Our Hospice Care team provides care which focuses on relieving pain and maintaining comfort.
• Symptom Control – Our Hospice Care team regularly assesses each patient’s condition and works with the physician to determine the most effective treatment and medication options to maximize symptom control.
• Hospice Care at Home – The goal of hospice care is to support patients by meeting their needs and managing their care at home – or wherever they may call home. This means hospice services are provided in a patient’s home, a nursing home, or the home of a loved one. Allowing one to stay at their home gives them the ultimate comfort when addressing terminal illnesses.
• Coordinated Care Approach – Hospice care is a team effort. The patient’s family and loved ones are actively involved along with a team of professionals and volunteers. With the supportive help of the hospice care team, the patient and their family receive physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
• Holistic Approach – Therapy and counseling services add an extra layer of care to the hospice services provided by Capital Caring. Therapy and counseling are non-invasive, holistic practices which enhance the medical, social and spiritual care of the hospice team. Therapy and counseling sessions are provided by staff and volunteers of the Capital Caring hospice team.