Tips for caring for someone with heart failure
Heart failure home care: what to know
Caring for someone with heart failure at home can help monitor symptoms and improve quality of life while remaining at home.
According to the NHS, heart failure is becoming increasingly common which affects approximately 920,000 people within the UK. While hospitalisation and further medical care may be needed, you can also care for someone with heart failure from home. Your loved one may be taking many medications for heart failure and a carer at home can help organise these. This will help take the stress away from your loved one and reassure them that all is taken of. Someone with heart failure may need extra support throughout their daily lives, so help with anything from general housekeeping, meal preparation and running errands can be a huge help. Here are a few things that carers can help with the day-to-day:
Housekeeping
Your carer can help around your home with chores such as cleaning, doing the laundry, taking out the bins and tidying up
Delivering groceries
A carer can pick up shopping for you, as well as prepare healthy and tasty meals and snacks at the times that suit you.
Medication assistance
Your carer can help you organise and take medication, and assist with stoma and catheter care. PEG feeding and suppositories.
Nursing care
Our carers are supported by our expert team of experienced clinical nurses, so you can be confident you’re always in safe hands
Mobility support
A carer can support your mobility by getting back on your feet and helping you get into and out of bed safely and securely
Personal care
Your domiciliary carer can provide discreet support with routines such as toileting, grooming, bathing and getting dressed
When does home care become available for heart failure patients?
Home care is perfect for your rehabilitation and getting back on your feet.
Helping Hands can provide home care services if you’ve been discharged from the hospital and need a hand recovering. Our visiting care can begin from just 30 minutes a week to up to 5 weeks, and our respite care is designed for those who need a short-term temporary caregiver. Our live-in care is for around-the-clock support and can help support your life with heart failure. We will help handle the day-to-day so you won’t have to worry, and we can help promote your independence and daily life. Some symptoms of heart failure can include:
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Leg and foot swelling (oedema)
Feeling faint or lightheaded
Reduced ability to exercise
Wheezing
Persistent cough
Bloated stomach
Loss of appetite
Weight gain or loss
Confusion
Irregular heartbeat
Here are some ways that can help you to manage your heart failure:
Why is home care for heart failure patients better than a care home?
Home care for heart failure is better for one simple reason – staying at home!
Receiving care in the place you love most can increase your happiness and general quality of life. Home care services include all the best bits of a care home, like meal preparation and clinical care, but you’ll never have to leave your beloved armchair. A personalised caregiver will get to know you and your condition and work out the best way to help. From encouraging light exercise to getting out in your local community, to being an all-rounded close companion, home care may be the perfect choice.
Managing CHF at home with Helping Hands
We can help manage your heart failure with our personalised care plans.
Helping Hands offers bespoke visiting, respite and live-in care for you and your unique needs. Our condition-led care will make sure your recovery from heart failure is at the forefront of your care plan. We can help with emergency care, elderly care and palliative care if needed. We will help create a daily routine that will help you to maintain a healthy and happy life. Our carers can help with personal care like washing and dressing, or nursing care plans which can help deal with more medically complex needs like medication administration.