What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s need for blood and oxygen. This means the heart cannot keep up with the demands of the body. Over time heart failure can worsen, even with appropriate medical therapy
What is hospice care?
Hospice care is specialized care that provides physical comfort and emotional, social and spiritual support for people nearing the end of life. Hospice focuses on quality of life when treatments are no longer effective or desired.
Hospice care is available to anyone diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, regardless of the specific condition or the patient’s age. It supports individuals facing a wide range of serious illnesses, including but not limited to:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Dementia
- Renal Disease
- Liver Disease
- AIDS
- Heart Disease
- Lung Disease
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Cancer
At Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, compassionate care is provided to patients of all ages, ensuring comfort, dignity, and support throughout every stage of life.
Hospice teams include doctors, nurses, social workers and home health aides who provide care that centers on your comfort and dignity.
Signs it may be time to consider hospice:
For Heart failure, hospice may be recommended when symptoms become severe despite optimal medical treatment or when additional therapies no longer improve quality of life
Heart failure specific symptoms and signs of progression:
- Frequent episodes of chest pain.
- Fatigue or heart palpitations when the patient is at rest.
- Angina or dyspnea during exercise or when at rest.
- The inability to carry out normal activities without experiencing dyspnea or other serious symptoms.
Hospice enrollment is a shared decision involving the patient, their family and their healthcare team. If you and your loved ones are noticing signs of decline, it’s okay to ask questions. A discussion with your doctor or hospice team can help you navigate and understand what options best support you loved one’s needs.
Why choosing hospice early can be a loving decision:
Considering hospice is never easy, However, when heart failure becomes advanced and treatment no longer brings relief, hospice can offer a path for the patient that is focused on comfort, support and peace.
Many families find that choosing hospice early allows them to make the most of the time they have. If you are noticing signs of decline or wondering what comes next, it is okay to ask questions. Discussing your options with your doctor or a hospice team can help you make a decision that feels right for everyone involved.
How do I start the conversation?
The question, “When should I talk to my cardiologist about hospice?” is common among patients. You should consider talking with your cardiologist if your treatment is no longer effectively managing symptoms or improving your quality of life. Signs that it may be time to talk to your cardiologist include, but are not limited to: frequent hospitalizations or emergency visits, increasing symptoms despite treatment and declining ability to perform daily activities.
It’s never easy to consider hospice care, but knowing the signs can help you make a loving and informed decision. Explore how hospice care can bring comfort and peace to your loved one today. Please visit: nghs.com/hospice or call 770-219-8888.