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Maximizing Quality of Life and Optimizing Health Care Utilization by Older Adults with Congestive Heart Failure

Maximizing Quality of Life and Optimizing Health Care Utilization by Older Adults with Congestive Heart Failure

Teaser: 

Jane Oshinowo, RN(EC), BScN, PNC, Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner, York Community Services, Staff Nurse, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON.

Heart failure is a serious illness characterized by impaired quality of life, decreased survival and frequent hospitalization, which mainly affects older adults. As the population ages, there is concern that congestive heart failure-related costs will place an undue strain on the health care system unless more cost-effective management is implemented. Various multidisciplinary strategies researched have demonstrated improved quality of life, reduced hospitalization, a trend towards decreased mortality, and a potential for cost savings.
Key words: heart failure, quality of life, cardiac nurse, disease management, cost.