Download PowerPoint Presentation - Heart Failure Society of America

Caregiver
Challenges and Rewards
Colleen K. McIlvennan, DNP, ANP
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Colorado
Caregivers
• Caregivers help a person with heart failure
live as well as possible with the disease
• Caregivers come in all
different forms
– Spouse
– Child
– Friend
– Parent
Caregiver Roles
•
•
•
•
•
•
Go to doctor appointments
Help with daily activities
Help with diet and exercise
Help with medications
Watch for symptoms of heart failure
Provide emotional and social support
Challenges
• Caregivers have
reported feeling:
– Stress
– Anxiety
– Burden
– A lack of support
“I’ve never felt caregiving
was my gift…I tend to feel like
I’m being imposed upon at
times…that you are being
called upon.”
--caregiver of a patient with
heart failure
Rewards
• Caregivers have
reported feeling:
– Gratitude
– Satisfaction
– Fulfillment
– Thankfulness
“It was some of the most
blessed time we had together.
It really was. It ended up
being such a blessing.”
--caregiver of a patient with
heart failure
Coping for Caregivers
• Take care of yourself!
– Get enough sleep
– Exercise regularly
– Eat well-balanced meals
– Ask for help
– Join a support group
Support for Caregivers
• Websites:
– Heart Failure Society of America (hfsa.org)
– American Association of HF Nurses (aahfn.org)
– American Heart Association (heart.org)
• Local Resources:
– Ask your doctor or nurse about support groups and
other help that may be available
Questions?