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Heart disease program supports patients at home

2/13/2010

The Arizona Republic

February is American Heart Month, proclaimed by the president to raise public awareness of the nation’s No. 1 killer – cardiovascular diseases. Hospice of the Valley has launched a new program to support patients with heart disease in their homes.

Social workers and nurses are available to make home visits, guided by the patient’s physician. The health-care team monitors and adjusts medications, oxygen and therapies; tracks patients’ weights and develops exercise programs for them. There is no out-of-pocket cost to patients.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart muscle weakens and can’t pump blood adequately to meet the body’s needs. CHF often develops gradually over the years but it can happen suddenly. The disease is progressive, with symptoms that include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue and leg or ankle swelling.

Hospice of the Valley’s community program -- called Outreach – provides services for cardiac patients who have early CHF and are not eligible for hospice. The hospice program cares for cardiac patients at later stages.

Benefits include symptom relief, improved quality of life, coordination of care, strategies to lessen stress, enhanced understanding of the disease process and better patient-family communication.

“We’re also working with local cardiologists to find out how we can help tailor care to their patients’ needs,” said Dr. Gillian Hamilton, the program’s medical director.

Jessika Fallows, RN, is the Congestive Heart Failure program coordinator. To learn more about the program or to request services, call 602-776-6786 or email jfallows@hov.org.

Beverly Medlyn is director of communications at Hospice of the Valley.