Homecare for Patients with Heart Disease

According to a report by the Health Catalyst, 25% of patients suffering from heart failure, come back to the hospital in 30 days. Three main reasons that contribute to this return are mobility limitations (lack of exercise), medical oversight and poor nutrition.

Often, at nursing homes, patients of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) do not receive the treatment they need. On the other hand, homecare caregivers are not only by their side 24/7 but also provide them the exact treatment, as planned by their doctor. When patients of CHF utilize homecare, they are able to regain their lost strength, their disease’s progression slows down and they are able to implement a healthier lifestyle. According to American Heart Association, people above the age of 75, especially men are more at risk of any type of cardiovascular disease. In the past 20 years, up till 2003, around 74.4% cardiovascular cases in men and 65.2% cases in women have been reported.

What is Congestive Heart Failure?

CHF is a type of heart disease that affects the coronary artery. It narrows the small blood vessels, which supply oxygen and blood to the heart. People can prevent this situation by making healthy lifestyle choices.

This is why homecare is recommended to patients of CHF because the caregivers prepare meals with low sodium, cholesterol and fat, as recommended by a nutritionist. Moreover, they monitor vital signs regularly, assist with exercise and deep breathing techniques, encourage routine activity and make sure that the patient’s needs are met.

Does Homecare for CHF Patients Reduce Hospitalization Cost?

According to a study published in the PLOS One Journal, patients who receive homecare, take fewer trips to the hospital and are able to reduce any kind of hospitalization cost as well.

The study compared healthcare utilization in homecare and self-care. The following factors were taken into account:

• Overall costs
• Number of admissions in the hospital per month
• Number of days the patient was hospitalized for CHF and other conditions
• Emergency room visits

The results were astounding, as there was a significant decrease on all levels. Hospitalization decreased by 46.3%, stays in hospitals for CHF patients decreased by 66.7% and 28.7% for patients with other chronic problems, emergency room visits decreased by 47% and overall cost decreased by 23.9%.

Homecare Services for CHF Patients

One of the best things about homecare is that a patient receives specialized care. A program is developed specially for the patients that cater to their every need. Depending on the severity of their CHF and other chronic problems, they require different and changing treatments. This can be only done by a homecare caregiver, who is living with the patient and is familiar with their medical history.

Services provided by homecare caregivers include:

• Checking vitals
• Providing medication reminders
• Light Housekeeping
• Meal Preparation
• Grocery Shopping
• Errand Services
• Linen Washing and Laundry
• Incidental Shopping
• Developing and implementation of a healthy diet (prescribed by a nutritionist)
• Clothes Shopping
• Help with daily activities such as hygiene and homemaking
• Assisting patients with exercise prescribed by physicians

In all ways, homecare for patients with a heart disease is a better option because they receive care 24/7.