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As a carer, there's a lot you can do to motivate the patient to feel better and get back to a normal and healthy routine.

Help them adjust to change. Managing heart failure can mean many lifestyle changes that can seem difficult to incorporate into the usual daily routine--from introducing new foods into the diet and new forms of exercise, to remembering to take medication and weighing in daily. You can help by:

• Listening to concerns
• Keeping a positive attitude, even if they experience a setback
• Being encouraging and offering congratulations for making positive changes

Help them find support. Talking to others who have heart failure or a similar condition is often reassuring and comforting. Encourage the patient to join a support group, or find an online discussion group.

Help them follow doctor's orders. Here are examples of ways you can help:

• Manage medication
• Keep notes on doctor visits, appointments and insurance
• Offer to exercise together
• Stop smoking (together)
• Help in learning to read labels on foods and shopping for heart-healthy foods
• Help in planning and preparing heart-healthy meals

While you're caring for someone else, remember to care for yourself.

Last Updated on: 20.01.2005