11 Top Tips for Heart Failure Caregivers

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Jennifer Larson on March 28, 2021

If you are a caregiver for someone with heart failure, it is important to know what symptoms to watch for and how to stay consistent with treatment. Taking care of your own needs is important too.

  • Team of nurses and doctors
    1. Get to know the healthcare team.
    One of the most important things you can do is get to know the members of your loved one’s healthcare team. You will be working closely with them, so it’s worth the effort to establish good communication pathways and a good rapport with the doctors, nurses, physical therapists, social workers and others on the team. Make a comprehensive list of people and their contact information. Keep copies in several locations so the information will be easily available when you need it. 
  • Close-up of a man standing on a scale
    2. Watch out for weight gain in your loved one.
    Encourage your loved one to step on the scale every single day, ideally each morning before breakfast on the same scale. Rapid weight gain— two to three pounds in a single day or five pounds in a week—means the body is retaining fluid. That can put extra strain on their already weak heart. 
  • male holding stomach
    3. Look for changes in other symptoms.
    If your loved one develops a new symptom, or an existing symptom worsens, call your healthcare team right away. Rapid weight gain is, of course, a big one. But other symptoms to watch out for include swelling or pain in the abdomen; shortness of breath at rest; increased swelling in the legs or feet; trouble sleeping; loss of appetite; increased fatigue; confusion and disorientation; and feelings of sadness or depression.
  • senior-couple-walking-on-beach
    4. Keep a positive attitude.
    Be a cheerleader for your loved one. A heart failure diagnosis can be daunting to even the most upbeat person. But people with heart failure can live very full lives. Developing and sticking to new healthy habits can help them achieve that, but they’ll need your support and positive attitude. Be as patient as you can—it might take your loved one some time to adjust to their diagnosis and to the changes they’ll have to make. 
  • Caregiver taking blood pressure of older man in wheelchair
    5. Encourage attention.
    While you’re keeping a close eye on your loved one, be sure to encourage them to take ownership of their own health. Encourage them to be vigilant about their health and to pay close attention to their symptoms, their attitude, and how well they’re sticking to their diet and exercise recommendations. Help your loved one determine which steps they need to take to get healthier, and ask them how you can help them achieve their goals.
  • long-term-care-home-safety
    6. Don’t strain yourself.
    It can be physically challenging to care for another adult with a chronic condition who needs assistance. You might need to provide help getting them out of bed or getting into the bathtub or standing up in the shower. Be mindful of your own body so you don’t hurt yourself, and look for aids that can help. For example, you could put a stool or special chair in the shower to eliminate the need to stand. You also might be able to get some assistance from a home health agency. 
  • Middle-aged woman taking pills
    7. Create a medication schedule.
    A written schedule is a must-have for anyone taking multiple medications on a daily basis. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a list of all the medications, the dosage amount and when they need to be taken. Write the schedule on a calendar and post it in a prominent place. Each time your loved one takes a dose, put a checkmark on the schedule. 
  • Woman paying bills
    8. Get organized.
    If you’re caring for someone with heart failure, you may be helping them go back and forth to their various appointments. The inevitable result of all those appointments is a lot of paperwork—reminders, bills, statements, correspondence from insurance companies, etc. Sit down with your loved one and figure out a system. Perhaps you create one file all incoming healthcare-related mail and another file for all paid bills. Put due dates on the calendar, and keep copies of everything. 
  • man-sleeping-on-side
    9. Take care of yourself.
    You can’t be a good caregiver for someone else if you don’t take care of yourself. Take a few minutes to assess your own health and well-being. Are you getting enough sleep each night? Are you eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise? If you feel stressed out, do you have outlets in which to channel your stress? Is someone else available to provide you time to physically and emotionally recharge? Do you have someone to talk to when you get frustrated or upset? 
  • Businesswoman using technologies at desk in home office
    10. Ask for help.
    Even if you’re eating right and sleeping well, you’ll still need some breaks. Your personal well-being has to be a priority in order for you to be an effective caregiver. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family members to provide some much-needed respite care. You might also contact a home health agency to get someone to come in occasionally and provide a break for you. 
  • Discussing the way forward with her patient
    11. Discuss advance care planning.
    Discussing end-of-life care issues can be an issue fraught with emotion for everyone involved. Since you spend a lot of time with your loved one, it may fall to you to bring up the issue. It may be a hard conversation—or series of conversations—but it’s important to know what your loved one’s wishes are.
11 Top Tips for Heart Failure Caregivers
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Last Review Date: 2021 Mar 28
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.