Development and testing of a caring-based intervention for older adults with heart failure

The clinical and cost burdens of heart failure (HF) continue to rise, creating an immediate need for cost-effective interventions geared toward improving health outcomes. This article describes the development and testing of a caring-based nursing intervention for older adults with advanced HF who have been recently discharged from acute care. The developmental process and components of the intervention are presented. A methodology for testing the intervention is also introduced. Through a phased development process including research, this intervention can be refined and used to guide clinicians, administrators, and policymakers in the provision of high-quality care to older adults with HF.