Implementation of a Heart Failure Self-care to Success Program in Underserved Community Dwelling Seniors

• Main Author: Bowersox, Linda
• Language: EN
• Published: The William Paterson University of New Jersey 2018
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10933709

<p> The purpose of this partial replication study was to explore the effectiveness of APRN driven educational interventions implemented through the Heart Failure Self Care to Success (HF S2S) program, for underserved urban seniors in four senior housing buildings. The effectiveness of the HF S2S program on pre and post scores on the SCHFI v 6.2 tool was measured to determine if scores improved post educational intervention.</p><p> A mixed methods approach was utilized with the qualitative component using a paired samples <i>t</i> test. For the qualitative aspect, a focus group of eight participants was added to gain a better understanding of the barriers in HF self-care.</p><p> There were differences in mean scores for pre versus post test on the SCHFI Tool, for Section A, Self-Care Maintenance and Section C, Self-care confidence with the post-test scores being higher by 18.98 and 22.15 points, respectively. Those differences were statistically significant at the p&lt;.05, indicating a strong and significant impact from the HFS2S Program. There was no statistically significant difference between pre and post test scores following educational intervention in Section B, Self-Care Management, p>.05.</p><p> For the qualitative component of the research, a total of 64 responses were generated from a focus group of eight. The vast majority of the group felt that their biggest barrier was <i>self-care adherence</i> as it relates to their HF. Cost of medication, lack of transportation, decreased mobility, ineffective access to care and the inability to locally purchase healthy foods were prominent obstacles. The findings of this APRN led initiative demonstrates that APRN educational interventions on HF were effective in improving self-care maintenance and self-care confidence.</p><p>