My mom's in heart failure
My 87 yr old has been diagnosed with heart failure and we now suspect she is coming to end of life . She was rushed into hospital on Monday . A nurse visited her today before I got there , handed her a book on HEART failure and explained that mom has had it for a long time???.
She was admitted with her kidney only functioning at 50%
Anaemic
Unstable heart race ...slow/ fast
Skin around face / eyes looks bruised.
Mom gets very breathless walking even a few metres some days.
Can no longer walk to the shop etc
I have asked to speak to the Dr in hospital but he didn't see us privately and hasn't told us
A What we can do to help mom
B What stage she is at
C Prognosis
D Can anything be done now
E Why she has been told that a nurse will come out to her regular when she gets home .
I live 200 miles away from my mom and have always been close to her but feel so upset that the hospital Dr had to keep going to the computer to look at some notes but answered NONE of our questions directly
We just want to know what to expect and how long mom has left so we can make her life happier and I can spend time with her .
I am frightened to travel home and leave her when she comes out of hospital
.
I must add that I didn't ask dr some of THESE questions in front of mom but had requested speaking in private as I didn't want to frighten her .
He just said in front of mom that her swelling had gone down and anaemia a little better and that she had been having iron injections!
We feel in limbo and that NO ONE IS TELLING US ANYTHINGI'm sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis and the lack of clear information provided by the hospital staff. I can provide you with general information that may be helpful in understanding your mother's condition and what to expect moving forward, but it's important to keep in mind that every individual case is unique and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional who knows your mother's medical history and current condition.
A. What can be done to help your mom?
At this stage, it's important to focus on providing your mother with comfort and support. The hospital staff can work with you and your mother to develop a plan of care that meets her needs and preferences. This may include medications to manage her symptoms, such as shortness of breath and swelling, oxygen therapy, dietary changes, and counseling to address emotional and spiritual concerns.
B. What stage is she at?
Based on the information you provided, your mother appears to be in the later stages of heart failure. The severity of her symptoms suggests that her heart is no longer able to pump blood effectively, leading to a buildup of fluid in her body and reduced oxygen supply. It's important to discuss your mother's stage of heart failure with her healthcare team for more specific information.
C. Prognosis
It's difficult to predict how long someone with heart failure may live as it depends on several factors, such as the severity of the condition, response to treatment, and overall health status. Your mother's healthcare team can provide you with more information on her prognosis and what to expect moving forward.
D. Can anything be done now?
While there is no cure for heart failure, there are treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Your mother's healthcare team can work with you and your mother to develop a plan of care that best meets her needs.
E. Why has she been told that a nurse will come out to her regularly when she gets home?
It's common for patients with heart failure to receive home health care services, which may include visits from a nurse who can monitor their condition, provide education on self-care, and coordinate care with other healthcare providers. This may be a helpful resource for your mother as she transitions back home from the hospital.
It's important to communicate your concerns and questions with your mother's healthcare team and advocate for her needs. They can provide you with more specific information about your mother's condition and what to expect moving forward. Additionally, hospice care may be an option to consider if your mother's condition continues to decline. Hospice can provide specialized care focused on improving quality of life and managing symptoms for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.
HI. Thank you for sharing this with us. And sorry that you and your mom have to go through all of this. You are most certainly deserving of some time with your mom's physician and for an answers to your great questions. I see it has been 13 hours since you wrote your post here. I am wondering if perhaps your mom's doctor has taken the time to talk with you yet? If not, My thinking is that most (if not all) hospitals have a number you can call if you are not satisfied with your care or your loved ones care. As I do a quick search, I easily find that number for the hospital system that I work for. Is this something you would consider. John. heart-failure.net community moderator
Sorry Mom is not doing well. That is an awful lot to absorb. I found this article that may be helpful. https://heart-failure.net/collaborating-care-team Thank you for sharing. Believe providing comfort by communicating with her about her needs and wants during this time and the hospital staff as far as her medication, medical appointments, and plan of action moving forward into the future. I would have a plan of care post your mom leaving the hospital. Spending time with family and friends talking, eating healthy, taking short walks, listening to music, and shopping, if she is able to do so may keep her spirits up and prolong the days she is with you and the rest of your family. Leslie (Community Moderator)
