CARING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH CHF

February 2, 2023

Caring for a loved one with any serious illness can feel overwhelming, stressful and frightening. But caring for a loved one with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) carries a particularly high burden of care. Especially as the disease progresses. Advanced CHF is frightening; the symptoms are distressing and difficult to manage alone. As your loved one's CHF advances they will also become more dependent on you for care and support, both physically and emotionally. Here are some insights to help guide you in this loving and supportive journey of caring for a loved one with CHF.

Understanding CHF
Congestive heart failure is often used interchangeably with Heart Failure (HF), but CHF is a specific type of heart failure that is considered very serious. Congestive Heart Failure, simply put, occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. CHF is not curable, though it is treatable, it is a chronic progressive disease that worsens over time.


According to the Mayo Clinic, in heart failure, the main pumping chambers of the heart (the ventricles) may become stiff and not fill properly between beats. In some people, the heart muscle may become damaged and weakened. The ventricles may stretch to the point that the heart can't pump enough blood through the body.


Over time, the heart can no longer keep up with the typical demands placed on it to pump blood to the rest of the body.


Supporting Your Loved One
When a loved one is diagnosed with congestive heart failure, family members often transition into caregiving without hesitation, acting with commitment and dedication. Yet, you may be questioning how you can best support your loved one as they struggle with the growing toll of CHF. Providing care for a loved one with CHF is likely to involve medical, physical and emotional support.


Their medical needs may include managing and understanding their medications to ensure compliance. Medical compliance will be vital in ensuring symptom management and quality of life. CHF medications can be confusing and taking them as directed may become more difficult for your loved one. Helping with medications is an important way you can provide needed support.


You may be monitoring symptoms and vital signs, taking blood pressure at home and monitoring pulse-oximetry readings. Easy to use blood pressure and pulse oximeters are available at most pharmacies. If your loved one has the support of hospice, your hospice care team will tell you what observations warrant you calling them. They will also regularly monitor vital signs and symptoms on their visits.


Attending your loved one’s doctor’s appointments is another way you can provide effective support. Their physicians will share a lot of information during visits. Listen and take notes. Help your loved one understand what their physician is saying. You can also help keep their doctor informed on how they are truly faring at home by sharing what you are noticing. Are they sleeping more? Do they seem more agitated or confused? Is their appetite declining? Keep their physician informed and let them know of any concerns.


Attending doctor visits can help you gain important insights into CHF and its progression. By understanding what to expect you can better prepare for the days ahead. Do not hesitate to ask questions and keep asking until you feel you have the answers you need.


It will also be important to advocate for your loved one. When your loved one is sharing changing symptoms or concerns, make sure they are understood and heard by their medical providers. Share your observations and concerns. If you feel a symptom, concern or issue is not being addressed, ask about it until it is addressed to your satisfaction.


Progressive diseases like CHF have a very real emotional toll. Your role as a caregiver will also include providing needed emotional support. Encourage your loved one to talk about their feelings. They may hesitate to share these emotions in fear they will distress you, but they will need someone to listen. Suggest they reach out to a good friend or consider joining a support group.


As CHF progresses, your loved one may need more support for routines like bathing, grooming, changing linens, grocery shopping or preparing meals. As a caregiver to someone with CHF you may find yourself playing many roles: part-time nurse, advocate, homemaker, or emotional counselor.


When caregiving duties increase, remember that providing the best care does not mean you have to do it all. Consider aligning support from family and friends. Accepting support and avoiding caregiver burnout will be vital in your ability to continue providing care and support.


When is the right time to consider hospice?

As CHF advances you may notice your loved one’s symptoms are increasing and are more difficult to control; treatments used in the past may no longer work as effectively. Your loved one may be making frequent trips to the ER and being hospitalized more often. At this stage, it will be time to consider what extra level of care and support are needed and it will be helpful to understand options like hospice and palliative care. It will also be important to consider what life is like now for your loved one. What are their goals and wishes? Speak to your loved one’s physician about your loved one’s wishes and goals and ask for their support and recommendations. If their focus has turned to quality of life then hospice might be the answer. Hospice provides incredible support to both the patient and the family caregiver.


Ascend Hospice will work with your loved one’s physicians to develop an individualized plan of care that’s based on their medical needs, accounts for where they are in the disease progression, and maintains a focus on their goals and wishes. Our expert care and symptom control can help your loved one avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and ER visits. We can help you focus on quality of life.


June 30, 2025
A few months ago, beloved actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their New Mexico home. Investigators believe Arakawa passed away first—possibly up to a week before Hackman. Shortly before her death, she had reached out to a local clinic . Later, Hackman’s pacemaker data helped confirm the timeline of his own passing. The medical examiner determined that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome , a rare and dangerous respiratory illness transmitted by rodents. Hackman died from advanced heart disease , with Alzheimer’s disease contributing to his decline. Experts suggest that his cognitive impairment likely prevented him from recognizing Arakawa’s death—or, if he did realize it, he may have experienced confusion, heartbreak, and helplessness before ultimately passing away himself. We may consider Gene Hackman’s last role to be his final lesson, a wake-up call for caregivers and families. It’s a profoundly tragic story—one that reflects a reality many families quietly face. As our loved ones age, especially when one becomes the caregiver, a sudden health crisis can leave the other stranded in a dangerous situation. What Can We Learn? This heartbreaking story offers more than grief—it offers perspective. It’s a reminder to be proactive, observant, and involved in the lives of aging loved ones. Here’s ways we can help. 1. Know the Conditions Affecting Your Loved Ones In Hackman’s case, the central health challenges were heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Recognizing the signs of heart trouble—chest pain, fatigue, breathlessness—and understanding how dementia can mask or confuse those symptoms is critical. 2. Caregivers Need Care Too When the caregiver goes down, the one who relies on them is suddenly exposed. Arakawa’s sudden illness likely left Hackman alone, disoriented, and unable to seek help. Caregivers often suffer in silence, pushing past their limits. Regular check-ins and support for them are just as essential. 3. A Simple Visit Can Save a Life A timely visit from a friend or relative might have changed the outcome. Subtle signs—rodent activity, spoiled food, confusion, hygiene issues—could have triggered help before it was too late. Don’t underestimate the power of simply showing up. What to Watch For: A Family Checklist If you have aging parents, relatives, or friends, here are some key areas to keep an eye on: Physical Health • Sudden weight loss or gain • Bruises, burns, or signs of falls • Unkempt appearance or body odor • Difficulty walking or standing Cognitive & Emotional Well-being • Memory loss or repeating questions • Depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal • Unsafe behavior such as leaving appliances on • Unusual mail or phone activity Home Conditions • Spoiled food, pest presence, or clutter • Safety hazards (dim lighting, loose rugs) • Appliances or plumbing not working Nutrition & Kitchen Safety • Expired food or low food supply • Dirty or neglected kitchen tools • Avoiding cooking altogether Medication Compliance • Confused about medications or missed doses • Expired or improperly labeled prescriptions Social Interaction • Isolation or reluctance to leave the house • Loss of interest in hobbies or community involvement Financial Awareness • Unpaid bills or unopened mail • Signs of financial exploitation or scams Tech & Communication • Can they use a phone in an emergency? • Are they responsive to calls or messages? What To Do If You Notice a Problem If you see red flags, don’t panic—but don’t ignore them either. Start with an honest, caring conversation. Explain that your concern comes from love, not judgment. Then, consider next steps: • Schedule a check-up with their doctor • Bring in help, even part-time support • Assess whether the home needs modifications • Explore new living arrangements if necessary Whether it’s weekly dinners, video chats, or simple texts—stay involved–consistent contact keeps you in tune with your loved ones’ needs and builds a safety net they may not even know they need. Final Thought If Gene Hackman’s last role is to serve as a final lesson, it’s a wake-up call for caregivers and families. Gene Hackman’s final days are a sobering reminder: Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Aging can be beautiful—but it also comes with risk, especially in solitude. Let this story motivate you to reconnect, check in, and truly see how your loved ones are doing. Additional Resources: Learn more about Congestive Heart Failure: https://www.ascendhealth.com/caring-for-a-loved-one-with-chf-this-summer https://www.ascendhealth.com/caring-for-a-loved-one-with-chf Learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: https://www.ascendhealth.com/alzheimers-caregiving-7-signs-its-time-for-extra-support https://www.ascendhealth.com/coping-with-alzheimers-anxiety-and-depression Need a health or safety assessment for a loved one? Contact Us or call today.
May 27, 2025
Honoring your dad on Father’s Day after he has passed can be a meaningful and healing experience. Here are ten ways to remember and celebrate him: 1 - Wear or Carry Something of His – A watch, a shirt, a piece of jewelry—something that belonged to him can provide comfort and keep his presence close. 2 - Dedicate a Song or Playlist – Create a playlist of songs that remind you of moments you’ve shared together. 3 - Recreate a moment in time – Recreate a favorite memory (fishing trip, movie night, road trip) 4 - Plan a Dad’s night out - plan an outing to one of his favorite places. It could be a restaurant, a game, or simply a scenic spot. 5 - Plan a Dad’s night in - Invite family and friends over to reminisce and serve a buffet of his favorite foods. 6 - Build Something Meaningful - if you’re good with your hands, build something he would have liked. If you’re not you can always buy something like a bird house and mount it outside in his honor or have a memory bear made from some of his favorite clothes. 7 - Frame Something – buy a store-bought frame or go to a frame shop. Frame a quote, his quote or one that he liked. Or frame a photo of one of his favorite things like a sports team photo, a movie scene image, or a favorite athlete or musician. 8 - Create a Video or Slideshow – Gather old photos and videos, and compile them into a slideshow with music that he loved. 9 - Honor His Legacy – Start an interactive tradition in his honor like a family gathering, storytelling night, or community service. 10 - Plant Forget-me-nots in a favorite place or deliver potted Forget-me-nots to others that miss him too. No matter how you choose to honor your dad, focus on the love you have for him and realize and embrace that he loved you. He wouldn’t want you to cry all day, he would want you to smile and remember the good moments. Read also how to survive your first Father’s day without Dad .