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Home Care Patients with Congestive Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmanry Disease
Broadcast Date: February 7, 2007
(1 hour, 40 minutes)
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Program Overview
Heart failure is a progressive condition in which the muscle becomes weaker and gradually loses its ability to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs. Although there is no way to completely heal a failing heart, there are many things that a person can do to improve their quality of life. The older one gets there is a need for more assistance from care givers and possibly healthcare workers.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a group of long-term chronic lung diseases that makes it hard to breathe. In COPD, airflow through the airways leading to and within the lungs is partially blocked, resulting in difficulty breathing. As the disease gets worse, breathing becomes more difficult, and it may become difficult to carry out activities of daily living. COPD is more common in people over the age of 60 and develops over many years.
Although neither of these conditions at this time can be cured, both can be controlled. It is imperative that these patients/clients are monitored to prevent exacerbations of their conditions. The role of the Home Health Aide and Home Attendant is one of great importance in that they are often with these patients on a more frequent and regular basis than anyone else. This program will give the HHA/HA information on what to look for and report to the supervisor, so as to get the patient/client immediate attention and possibly prevent an acute exacerbation of their condition.
Faculty
Jack Hataway, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Chronic Disease Prevention Division
Bureau of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease
Alabama Department of Public Health
Target Audience
Home Health Aides and Home Attendants
Contact Hours
None for this program.
Contact for Technical Assistance
334-206-5618 or email ALPHTN
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