Managing Congestive Heart Failure at Home
By Heather Branch, Southeast Louisiana Home Health, Northshore LIVING WELL Magazine
In today’s world of everchanging medical advances, we are now able to safely manage CHF (congestive heart failure) in the home care setting. Patients can now go home sooner from inpatient facilities with their symptoms being managed effectively at home.
We now have a monitor called the “Zoe monitor” that is very effective in early detection of fluid overload or dehydration. It enables healthcare providers to detect a potential CHF exacerbation up to two weeks before symptoms actually occur. It is as easy as hooking up to a two-electrode machine that measures resistance between the two electrodes based on fluid balance.
By having close communication between the physician and the patient, we have the potential to decrease hospitalizations for our patients. Our patients feel better and have less anxiety about their health status and/or financial issues that go along with being sick. We are very proud of our results with the “Zoe monitor.” Patients are able to stay at home with their family, yet get the care they need without being hospitalized. They get individualized care that encompasses the “whole” patient. Along with the “Zoe monitor,” we provide detailed education to the patients and caregivers regarding all aspects of CHF including diet, activity tolerance and endurance, management of medications, signs and symptoms of complications, early detection, management of symptoms, as well as what to report to the nurse or physician.
In addition to the “Zoe monitor,” we can also provide physical therapy or occupational therapy if there are endurance and/or safety issues. We have home care assistants that can provide the care patients need in their daily routine; as our goal is to promote as much independence as possible.
We offer many other services to meet your individualized needs. This includes, but is not limited to congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s and arthritis.
If you or a loved one could benefit from home health care services, please contact Southeast Louisiana Home Health at 1-800-479-4712, so we can discuss you individual needs.
