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Diane L. Family Member

Retirement Communities that support LVAD recipients

My dad was in great health - then dropped - to save his life he had an LVAD "installed" on Nov 2. He was my mom's 24 hour caregiver - my mom is not ambulatory / early alzheimers. At 79 - my dad after the event, surguries, sedation - is now physically and cognitively impaired. We are seeing improvements every day - but it is a long-uphill recovery. Because both my parents are know needing care - I am trying to find for down the road - Retirement Communities / Assisted Living facilities that support LVAD recipients. They are currently in an area of LA - but I would like to move them closer to where I live which is the north shore of Chicago. I would be grateful for any insight and guidance!!!!!!!

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Ken B.

As far as retirement communities I'm not sure, but the university of Chicago crew are the best I've seen. He will be in the best care possible but that's just my feelings being older he will always need help with the black bag get a 2 wheeled luggage cart it will make life easier I'm north west Ind. great help is just mins away. Kenny

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Diane L.

Thanks for the information! I was looking at Northwestern Memorial Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute as his base hospital. Plus, the heart failure team is seeing patients now at Lake Forest Hospital because there are so many patients. I live north near Lake Forest, and that sounded great to me. Unfortunately, the Balmoral Community in Lake Forest is not trained in VAD care. I posed the question to Thoratec - am waiting to hear their research. Thanks for responding!

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William R.

My dad is 78 years old and received an LVAD in July and hasn't done well with physical therapy and needs 24 hour care, as he is unable to get out of bed. We are unable to find a nursing home or rehabilitation facility that will take him, as most are not LVAD trained. The only nursing home we have found is New Horizons in Gainesville, GA but they do not have any beds for him.

Are there any resources you can provide to help? We are in dire need of help and we have exhausted all of our resources.

Thanks 

William