Eleanor had been living with congestive heart failure for years, but recently her condition had worsened. Despite her doctors’ best efforts, she was making frequent trips to the emergency room, often staying in the hospital for days at a time. “I’m tired of hospitals,” she told her daughter during her last admission. “I just want to be comfortable at home.”
Meanwhile, across town, Robert struggled with advanced COPD. Once an avid hiker who had explored many trails along the Wasatch Front, he now found himself unable to walk across his living room without becoming severely short of breath. When his doctor suggested hospice care, Robert was hesitant. “Isn’t hospice just for cancer patients?” he asked.
Eleanor and Robert’s situations are common throughout Utah and across the country. Heart disease and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are leading causes of death in the United States, yet many patients with these conditions don’t realize that hospice care offers specialized support that can dramatically improve their quality of life.
Understanding Hospice for Cardiopulmonary Conditions
While cancer has traditionally been the most recognized diagnosis for hospice care, the truth is that hospice services are designed for anyone with a life-limiting illness, including advanced heart disease and COPD. At Inspiration Hospice, our specialized cardiopulmonary program addresses the unique needs of these patients.
When Is the Right Time for Hospice?
For patients with heart disease, signs that hospice may be appropriate include:
- Frequent hospitalizations for heart failure symptoms
- Significant shortness of breath, even at rest or with minimal activity
- Persistent swelling (edema) despite medication adjustments
- Decreased ability to perform daily activities
- Unintentional weight loss
- Recurrent chest pain
- No further options for surgical intervention, or the patient has chosen to decline them
For patients with COPD, hospice may be appropriate when:
- Breathing is severely limited, even with oxygen therapy
- Frequent emergency room visits or hospitalizations for respiratory issues
- Unintentional weight loss
- Limited response to bronchodilator medications
- Increasing need for oxygen or respiratory support
- Declining ability to care for oneself
Comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Support
At Inspiration Hospice, our approach to heart disease and COPD focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Our specialized care includes:
Expert Symptom Management
Our specialists in pain and symptom management ensure patients are comfortable, free of pain, and able to enjoy life while remaining in control of day-to-day decisions for as long as possible.
For heart disease patients, we focus on:
- Managing chest pain and discomfort
- Reducing shortness of breath and anxiety
- Controlling fluid buildup that leads to swelling
- Preventing and addressing complications
For COPD patients, our care includes:
- Strategies to ease breathing difficulties
- Controlling cough and secretions
- Managing anxiety associated with breathlessness
- Preventing respiratory infections when possible
24/7 Access to Qualified Nurses
One of the most important aspects of hospice care for cardiopulmonary patients is 24/7 access to nursing support. Our hospice care team creates an emergency plan that assists patients in getting support when they experience symptoms and provides around-the-clock care, which can be lifesaving for those who have frequent difficulty breathing.
“Having that immediate access to a nurse who knows my condition has given me such peace of mind,” shared Eleanor after enrolling in Inspiration Hospice. “Just last week, I felt my breathing getting worse at 2 AM. Instead of calling 911, I called my hospice team. A nurse was at my home within 30 minutes and helped manage my symptoms right there in my bedroom.”
Medication and Equipment Management
Hospice ensures that patients have all the medications, oxygen, and equipment they need to manage their condition at home. This oversight of all equipment, supplies, and medication necessary to manage the condition is particularly important for patients who need constant access to oxygen machines and other equipment that can be difficult to operate without training.
For heart disease patients, this might include:
- Heart medications and diuretics
- Specialized hospital beds to help with comfortable positioning
- Oxygen equipment when needed
For COPD patients, we provide:
- Respiratory medications and inhalers
- Oxygen equipment and supplies
- Nebulizers and other breathing support devices
Education and Support for Caregivers
Family caregivers of patients with heart disease and COPD face unique challenges. Our team provides extensive education and support, teaching caregivers how to:
- Recognize early warning signs of distress
- Administer medications properly
- Operate necessary equipment
- Implement comfort measures
- Respond to emergencies
“When my father first came home with his oxygen equipment, I was terrified of doing something wrong,” Robert’s daughter explained. “The hospice team not only showed me how to use everything, but they also taught me what to watch for and when to call for help. I don’t feel alone in this anymore.”
Emotional and Spiritual Support
The emotional toll of advanced heart disease and COPD can be significant. A lot of anxiety comes from feeling helpless or uncertain about the future. Our social workers and chaplains are available to talk and address the most pressing concerns of patients and their families.
Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Counseling for patients and family members
- Assistance with difficult end-of-life conversations
- Support for navigating grief and loss
- Spiritual care that respects each person’s beliefs and traditions
- Creative therapies, including our music and art therapy programs
The Magical Day Experience
At Inspiration Hospice, we believe that even in the face of serious illness, meaningful moments are possible. Our unique Magical Day program creates special experiences tailored to each patient’s wishes and abilities.
For Eleanor, her Magical Day involved a family dinner in her garden, complete with live music from a local guitarist who played her favorite songs. “For one evening, we weren’t focused on my illness,” she recalled. “We were just a family enjoying beautiful music and each other’s company.”
Robert’s Magical Day took him back to the mountains he loved. Our team arranged for a scenic drive along the Wasatch Front with stops at overlooks where he could experience the mountain vistas without having to hike. “I never thought I’d see these views again,” he said, tears in his eyes. “This meant everything to me.”
The Inspiration Hospice Difference
While we’re one of Utah’s largest hospice providers, our approach to cardiopulmonary care remains deeply personalized. Every patient receives an individualized care plan that addresses their specific symptoms, concerns, and goals.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to 24/7 support from qualified nurses who specialize in cardiopulmonary care. Families throughout the Wasatch Front tell us that this round-the-clock access provides invaluable peace of mind and has prevented countless emergency room visits.
If you or a loved one is living with advanced heart disease or COPD, we invite you to learn more about how our specialized hospice care can help improve quality of life while remaining in the comfort of home. Contact Inspiration Hospice at (385) 247-2020 or visit www.inspirationhospice.com to schedule a no-obligation consultation.