Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the support older family members provide to older adults with heart failure, an essential factor in self-management and daily care, as well as their emotional experiences regarding this care.
Methods: In this study, data collected through semi-structured interviews were analyzed based on a qualitative inductive approach.
Results: Support was classified as follows: “Developing practical and sustainable methods for managing sodium and water intake in a way that is feasible for older adults”, “Understanding changes in heart failure symptoms and monitoring and comprehending daily care behaviors”, “Supporting care behaviors while negotiating with patients resistant to change due to long-standing habits”, “Responding to worsening symptoms based on severity”, “Supporting older adults so they can maintain their daily lives” and “Joining forces to sustain desirable medical treatment”. Furthermore, emotions related to support were classified as follows: “Strain caused by aging and prolonged caregiving responsibilities”, “Challenges in modifying support while navigating long-standing relationships and past experiences”, “Staying positive to continue support” and “Commitment to spending the rest of their lives together with the patient”.
Conclusion: Despite experiencing both positive and negative emotions, older family members consistently supported patients with heart failure, adapting their approaches to sustain their shared aging journey and ensure continuity in both self-management and overall daily care, including medical support.
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