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Aim: To examine and map health programmes that have been implemented and evaluated to improve health outcomes amongst older adults who are the primary family caregivers for their partners. Methods: A scoping review was carried out, following the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. The search was conducted in six databases (PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE) between December 2023 and March 2024. Results: Eleven studies were included, covering different health programmes implemented and evaluated with the aim of improving health outcomes in older adults who assume the role of primary family caregiver for their partner. The programmes were carried out by multidisciplinary teams and psychologists. The programmes varied in content, frequency, and duration. Discrepancies were found in the effects of the interventions on stress, depression, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Conclusions: This scoping review shows that programmes aimed at improving health outcomes in older adults who are the primary family caregiver for their partner vary widely in both content and effectiveness. While some interventions reduced the burden and psychological distress, others did not show clear improvements in quality of life. It can be concluded that there is a need for randomised controlled trials that rigorously evaluate the outcomes of long-term, personalised interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Living in poverty negatively affects the biopsychosocial health of older adults. Nursing students need to develop competence to promote health and self-care behaviours amongst older adults living in poverty in high-income countries. Aim: To explore nursing students' perceptions of a service learning programme aimed at promoting health and self-care among older adults living in poverty in a high-income country. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 37 nursing students recruited from a university in Southeastern Spain. Participants completed a service learning programme in which they conducted preventive home visits to older adults living in poverty. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were developed: (1) service learning as a different way of learning, (2) as an active learning approach to bridge the theory–practice gap, and (3) to provide insight into an unknown side of nursing. Conclusions: By providing opportunities for active, experiential learning in real-world contexts, service learning was perceived by the nursing students as a methodology that helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Participating in a service learning programme with older adults living in poverty not only fosters emotional engagement, reflective practice, and the development of essential non-technical skills in nursing students, but it also prepares them to advocate for older adults living in poverty in a high-income country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a growing public health challenge due to its high prevalence and associated comorbidities. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for achieving sustained weight reduction when more conservative treatments have failed. This study evaluates the impact of a nurse-led telecare follow-up programme in the immediate postoperative period for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in two hospitals in southern Spain. We included 161 patients who met the inclusion criteria: a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2 or a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with associated comorbidities, and the failure of non-surgical treatments. Patients were divided into two groups: the intervention group (IG), which received follow-up telephone calls from a specialised nurse during the first 30 days post-surgery, and the control group (CG), which received standard care. The nurse, who was available 24 h a day, answered questions and dealt with queries over the phone or referred patients to the emergency department if necessary. Several variables were recorded, including the number of telephone consultations, reasons for consultation, number of emergency visits, readmissions, and surgical reinterventions. Results and Conclusions: The IG showed a significant reduction in ED visits (4.9% vs. 30% in CG), and consultations were mainly related to diet and drainage. The nurse telecare intervention significantly improved postoperative recovery by reducing complications and optimising the safety and quality of postoperative care. These results reinforce the importance of personalised follow-up in improving clinical outcomes in bariatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]