Gilchrist Launches Advanced Cardiac Care Program
Heart disease is responsible for one in four deaths in the U.S. Yet many patients with end-stage heart disease don’t receive hospice or palliative care that could enhance their quality of life.
Many people with advanced heart disease frequently visit doctors’ offices, emergency rooms and hospitals because of their symptoms, which may include shortness of breath, fatigue, and persistent cough. High-quality palliative and hospice care earlier in the course of illness can avoid these unnecessary and costly medical visits and help patients live longer, with a better quality of life.
The Advanced Cardiac Care program at Gilchrist is implemented by a team including doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses to help manage the care of heart disease. The team has specialized training in cardiac disease to help manage a patient’s condition and control symptoms at home. Gilchrist also provides additional support through visits by a social worker, counselor, volunteer or chaplain if requested. Self-care and monitoring of symptoms can also play an important role. To that end, Gilchrist offers a Patient and Caregiver Handbook that anyone can download from the website.
The Handbook
The Advanced Cardiac Care Patient and Caregiver Handbook explain the symptoms of heart failure and how to monitor them, what to do when you experience a certain symptom, and when to call your medical provider. It also includes information on medications, diet and exercise, self-care tips, and how to enlist family members to help.
Gilchrist is committed to helping individuals live longer and better with heart disease. Through our participation in the NPHI Advanced Cardiac Care Program, we are proud to be a part of the American Heart Association’s efforts to turn guidelines into lifelines for people with heart disease.
To learn more and download a Patient and Caregiver guide, visit www.gilchristcares.org/advanced-cardiac-care. To support our work, visit gilchristcares.org/give.