Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a progressive condition that occurs when fluid collects around the heart, making it impossible for your heart to pump blood effectively. The first question patients diagnosed with this condition usually ask is “how long can I live with congestive heart failure?” The answer depends on what stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis.
“It breaks my heart when I hear a family say, ‘We wish we would have called you sooner,’ said Eric Kerwood, a provider relations manager at Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care in Warrensburg, Missouri. “This is the last thing you want to hear.”
Any death is painful for loved ones, but an unexpected death can raise some additional challenges for those coping with grief. An unexpected death can come completely out of the blue for someone who is healthy. It can also happen when someone is ill, but dies sooner than anticipated.
When someone you love is receiving hospice care, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day concerns of caregiving. Your loving care is an incredible testament to your love, but romantic gestures are a wonderful reminder that you continue to view your spouse as the love of your life, not your patient.
Crafts are a beautiful way to create a fun and engaging activity for a loved one with dementia who is cooped up at home this winter. They don’t have to be anything fancy. In fact, it’s often best to use basic supplies you have around the house to keep the preparation levels low.
February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day. It’s the perfect opportunity to use some of your free time to do something nice for someone who may be lonely and isolated during the pandemic. This could be patients at a local hospice, nursing home, or assisted living facility. You could also make a point of spreading a little joy to an isolated senior in your family or neighborhood.
