The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe family caregivers’ experiences and changes in caregiving tasks and approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using web-based strategies, 69 family caregivers of adults with chronic or disabling conditions were recruited and completed an online survey about positive and negative caregiving experiences, and ways in which caregiving has changed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (structured questions) and conventional content analysis (open-ended responses). Participants reported concerns about their loved one’s physical and mental health, the limited access to other caregiving sources, and the limited opportunities to maintain personal well-being. Caregiving tasks completed more than usual included providing emotional support, shopping for groceries and essentials, and contacting healthcare providers. Participants modified their caregiving approach by assuming added responsibilities, leveraging technology, and managing a new caregiving routine. Findings indicate that family caregivers experienced additional caregiving challenges and changed caregiving tasks considering the limited resources available.

Background: Living arrangements, social support, and self-efficacy have significant implications for self-management science. Despite the theoretical linkages among the 3 concepts, there is limited empirical evidence about their interplay and the subsequent influence on heart failure (HF) self-management. Objective: The aim of this study was to validate components of the Individual and Family Self-management Theory among individuals with HF. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data generated from a sample of 370 individuals with HF. A path analysis was conducted to examine the indirect and direct associations among social environment (living arrangements), social facilitation (social support) and belief (self-efficacy) processes, and self-management behaviors (HF self-care maintenance) while accounting for individual and condition-specific factors (age, sex, race, and HF disease severity). Results: Three contextual factors (living arrangements, age, and HF disease severity) had direct associations with perceived social support and self-efficacy, which in turn were positively associated with HF self-management behaviors. Living alone (β = −.164, P = .001) was associated with lower perceived social support, whereas being an older person (β = .145, P = .004) was associated with better support. Moderate to severe HF status (β = −.145, P = .004) or higher levels of perceived social support (β = .153, P = .003) were associated with self-efficacy. Conclusions: Our results support the Individual and Family Self-management Theory, highlighting the importance of social support and self-efficacy to foster self-management behaviors for individuals with HF. Future research is needed to further explore relationships among living arrangements, perceived and received social support, self-efficacy, and HF self-management.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the existing literature on the associations between historic redlining and modern‐day health outcomes across the lifespan.Method: This review searched PubMed and CINAHL for peer‐reviewed, data‐based articles examining the relationship between historic redlining and any health outcome. Articles were appraised using the JBI critical appraisal checklist. The results were synthesized using a narrative summary approach.Results: Thirty‐six articles were included and focused on various health outcomes, including cardiovascular outcomes, breast cancer incidence and mortality, firearm injury or death, birth‐related outcomes, and asthma outcomes. Most of the included articles (n = 31; 86%) found significant associations between historic redlining and adverse health outcomes such as increased cardiovascular disease, higher rates of preterm births, increased cancer incidence, reduced survival time after breast cancer diagnosis, and increased firearm injury incidence.Discussion: This review demonstrates the persistent effect of historic redlining on individuals’ health. Public health nurses should recognize redlining as a form of structural racism when caring for affected communities and should advocate for policies and programs that advance health equity. Nurse researchers should develop and test multilevel interventions to address systemic racism and improve health outcomes in communities affected by redlining.

Despite patients referred to home health having diverse and complex needs, it is unknown how nurses develop personalized visit plans. In this qualitative descriptive study, we interviewed 26 nurses from three agencies about their decision-making process to determine visit intensity and analyzed data using directed content analysis. Following a multifactorial assessment of the patient, nurses relied on their experience and their agency’s protocols to develop the personalized visit plan. They revised the plan based on changes in the patient’s clinical condition, engagement, and caregiver availability. Findings suggest strategies to improve visit planning and positively influence outcomes of home health patients.