This lesson on Heart Failure includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: Identify signs and symptoms of heart failure List two ways to tell if the patient may be going into heart failure, and Explain the importance of reporting signs and symptoms to the clinician or supervisor. OVERVIEW Heart failure can occur at any age. Nearly five million Americans are living with heart failure, and 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. One in 100 people over the age of 65 have heart failure. Men are more commonly affected than women, and African-Americans are affected more often than Caucasians. Heart failure is becoming more common because people live longer, and certain risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and a high-fat diet, are increasing. Many patients seen by home health agencies have a diagnosis of heart failure. It is, therefore, essential that home health aides have a basic understanding of both the problems associated with heart failure as well as their role in caring for these patients.Further, heart failure is often the reason for patients going back to the hospital after a short stay at home. Proper care at home may help your agency's patients avoid unnecessary rehospitalizations.