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Lifestyle adjustments with caregiving may become easier over time, and with effective use of coping strategies, caregivers accept their new caregiving role as part of life.

Three themes emerged from the data: (a) improved sexual relations with LVAD, (b) sexual adjustment, and (c) nonsexual intimacy. The themes identified were consistent with the concept of normalcy from the theory of self-care. Participants reported that as the LVAD improved their overall health, their sexual functioning also improved. Participants also reported an increased sense of connectedness and intimacy with their partners even in the absence of sexual intercourse. Participants discussed ways in which they continued to develop intimate relationships even in the presence of limitations in structural and functional integrity. The knowledge derived from this study can be used as a guide for healthcare providers in counseling LVAD recipients on psychosocial and sexual health essential for achieving an optimum quality of life.

Five main themes were identified from participants' experiences: (1) advanced heart failure is a life-changing event, (2) self-doubt about LVAD caregiving improves over time, (3) lifestyle adjustments come with time, (4) persistent worry and stress, and (5) caregiving is not a burden-it's a part of life. These main themes were elucidated by 8 subthemes in which participants described a process of adjustment despite persistent worry and stress and eventually accepted caregiving as part of their lives. Future studies are needed to explore caregiver burden, adaptation, and the effects of caregiving outcomes, such as emotional and physical health and overall quality of life.

Findings advance self-care knowledge in LVAD management and can heighten nurses' awareness about self-concept as a vital component for maintenance of health and well-being.

Background Family caregivers are essential to the well-being of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) because they provide care in managing complex medication regimens, dietary sodium restrictions, and symptoms. Objective The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of the HF caregiving experience and describe the needs and concerns expressed by caregivers. Methods Qualitative descriptive methodology was conducted using data from responses to open-ended questions asked as part of a larger longitudinal study. The sample was 63 patients with HF and 63 family caregivers. Results Utilizing basic content analysis, the three main themes of needs and concerns that emerged were competence concerns, compassion maintenance, and care of the self. Sub-themes of competence concerns were doing things right, making a serious mistake, and uncertainty. Conclusions Family caregivers of HF patients had many needs and concerns about their competence in performing tasks, their compassion, and caring for themselves. Data can be used to design testable interventions to improve the HF caregiving experience for patients and caregivers.

Lifestyle adjustments with caregiving may become easier over time, and with effective use of coping strategies, caregivers accept their new caregiving role as part of life.

Little is known about clothing issues among patients with implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). This article describes the experience of a woman who had challenges in adapting to an altered body image imposed by the external components of the LVAD system. The woman discusses her problems about clothes that fit her personal style and shares her strategies and recommendations in overcoming the problem. Her description of how she approached and resolved the problem is situated within the Apparel Body Construct Model. In this context, appropriate selection of apparel is crucial not only to preserving the integrity and function of the LVAD system but also to the recipient's satisfaction with her body image. The information presented is a catalyst for knowledge development and heightening health care providers' awareness of patients' perception of body image, which is vital to adapting to an LVAD as a component of the recipient's body and life.