Congestive heart failure in elderly patients - The treatment goal is improved quality, not quantity, of life

CHF in elderly patients requires rapid intervention, with attention to the limitations of physiologic reserves in this age-group. For example, the biological half-life of a drug may not equal the physiologic effects in an elderly; patient.(13) Caregivers and patients must accept the restrictions on therapeutic strategies conferred by coexisting conditions and outcome objectives and, often, must be content with partial success, Improving the quality of life should take precedence over-in; creasing the chance of survival. A recent study of rehospitalization of elderly patients with CHF found that quality of life was improved and medical costs were reduced by nurse-directed interdisciplinary intervention that included patient anal family education, social-service consultation, and intensive follow-up.(14).