Congestive Heart Failure

[eatkinson]

My mom had severe cardiomyopathy (EF of 15%) and CHF. She has a Bi-ventricular pacemaker that is not helping. She is currently living on her own in a retirement community (long story...she's very tough). I know I nor none of my siblings can take her in and I am currently researching Assisted Living places. We have very limited resources and estimate that she will be able to reside in one of these places close to 3 years on her income. Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? She is independent enough to do her personal care on her own, and some light housekeeping, but it varies month-to-month what she can do. Then she rebounds and has a really good couple of months!! She's not ready for skilled nursing, and barely ready for Assisted Living, but I'm trying to plan for the future and give her the best quality of life she can have. Knowing my mom, she could go on like this for 10 years! (Seriously, she's defied death multiple times in the last few years!) As much as I know about this illness (I've worked in cardiology for 20 years) I feel bewildered as to the options out there. I'm looking for feedback on experiences with Home Health Aides, Assisted Living experiences, etc. Also, does anyone belong to a support group that meets in your area (for Mom)? Does it help? If so, how did you find out about it, through your local hospital? Thank you so much for your input.

[DixVal]

Hi, I am a cancer survivor & was up until June 1st of this year full time caregiver to my mom with COPD. I had just brought in hospice but could not judge as they started 3 days before mom's passing. My husband spent 40 days, starting Super Bowl Sunday, in a hospital 70 miles away & had several major surgeries while there due to a blood clot in his leg & a stint would not go through the clot. He came home with pressure ulcers & connected to two wound vacs. We had homecare coming in 5 days a week until I learned how to change the dressings & what medicine to apply to which wound. (8 wound sites in all) Pressure ulcers were BAD. Physical Therapy came 2 times a week. Shortly after the wound vacs were removed & he'd done well with the PT we were able to care for him. Then mom passed & within weeks Dick started downhill & was diagnosed with CHF. We were so very lucky to get the same homecare company & not only that the VERY SAME NURSE. We have help 24/7 when we need it. Both with the homecare & the infusion people. I don't know if we are just very lucky or not. I know there are good & bad homecare people out there. I would really recommend that you investigate companies in her area. GET REFERENCES! We have been extremely pleased! Good luck. V