Heart Failure

[autumndays2]

Hi, my MIL has end stage heart failure, her health has deteriorated a lot over the last year and has carers coming over 3 times a day plus myself and DH. Within the last month her voice has become croaky, she gets confused and has trouble eating and drinking due to difficulty swallowing. We don't really know what to expect or how to help. If she is towards the end, would she likely to go to hospital or a hospice in order to be more comfortable or stay at home. If stay at home is the most common option is there more we can be asking from the GP surgery (who aren't the best).

Sounds like she needs a SALT (speech and language) referral, although waiting times are sadly long, and a review from the GP. It might be time for her to be put under the palliative care team so realistic plans around hospital/hospice/home can be had. Also have a look at the ReSPECT process www.resus.org.uk/respect and ask her GP to complete it. Putting plans in place is very wise.

FWIW my mum died of heart failure at 'home' in her care home - she was cooking pancakes for us the day before, and quietly died in her sleep the following night after one day of feeling a bit unwell.

We are at a similar stage. MIL has been assigned palliative care and is in a hospice, following a hospital admission.
Home care was just not possible as she needs someone with her 24/7.

Your MIL may be uncomfortable or become so, if congestion is an issue; she may struggle with mobility as her strength goes. MIL is now on strong medication via syringe driver.

It is very hard to see. GP may need pushing, and if anyone has POA , that can help define the care plan or at least force the GP to formalise one.

My mother is at end stage Heart Failure and also has pulmonary hypertension. She is under palliative care now and has been at home, living alone, with carers up until now. I live nearby so was there daily also. However the swelling in her legs and breathlessness has got worse and she is in hospital for last 2 weeks now. I have been told that she will be going to Hospice next as she needs more round the clock care now. It is such a cruel and difficult time for her and ourselves.

Thank you for the replies.

My husband is having a meeting with the carers to have an assessment of her current needs to see what needs to be increased. The care company have rang and emailed GP multiple times last week to ask for them to come out to give her an assessment but they still haven't been but I will start trying as well this week.

MIL moved closer to us at the start of the year and I think she just doesn't seem to be on the GPs radar. We have managed in that time to have an OH review but not much else from the doctors surgery, even though during the summer she required some time in hospital.

Your GP surgery sound quite poor.
If you have a care manager, ask them to try to escalate.
We had to call an ambulance to get the care needed to get her in to hospital. They sent the emergency paramedic who had her admitted. Once she was in hospital it was easier to escalate.