Elderly women's experiences of support when living with congestive heart failure

Abstract

Heart failure is a chronic syndrome that has physiological, psychological and social effects. The aim of the study was to illuminate the meanings of support as experienced by elderly women with chronic heart failure. Narrative interviews were conducted with five elderly women with chronic heart failure. A phenomenological hermeneutic method of interpretation was used. The meanings of support were experienced by the women out of two perspectives, that is, when support is present and when there is a lack of support. The findings were revealed in two themes: “Feeling confident means support” and “Feeling abandoned”. The women do not wish to be a burden. They want to be independent as much as possible to defend their dignity. An important support to the women is that they are understood and confirmed in their illness. Supportive relations are most valuable, that is, a relationship that supports the women's independence. If there is no supportive relationship, they feel like a burden to others and they feel lonely; this loneliness creates suffering and counteracts wellbeing and health.

The meaning of receiving help from home nursing care

“…To promote dignity competent nurses in this study used their competence in a supportive way letting them be a participant but also a receiver of help when they did not manage the activity. One important support is to be understood and confirmed in illness through supportive relations (30).…”

Heart failure patients’ attitudes, beliefs, expectations and experiences of self-management strategies: A qualitative synthesis

“…18,36 Family members were central to supporting self-management by providing emotional and practical support, for example, identifying symptoms, assisting with medication management, assisting with transport, helping with household activities, and providing comfort. 32,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46] ''Continued family support, economic stability and access to health care services stood out as dominant factors in the ability to balance wishing (a past reflection on a previous life envisaged) and to be realistic with hoping.'' 37 (Second order construct)…”

A Narrative Literature Review of the Experiences of Patients Living With Heart Failure

“…17,22,37 This finding is echoed in 3 quantitative studies that identified HF-related symptoms and medications as the top learning needs, which patients with HF perceived to be most important. 38,39,41 All of these studies used the Heart Failure Patients' Learning Needs Inventory, and the mean scores varied among the 3 studies, with the United States being the highest (mean = 3.955) and China being the lowest (mean = 3.291).…”

“…Several qualitative studies reported that individuals who receive support from others perceived themselves as a burden to others and felt they had lost their independence. 8,9,21,37 Support is appreciated only if independence is maintained, and the individual has control over their situation. 10,37 A cross-sectional study suggested that problem-focused coping was associated with a lowered QOL.…”