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Background: A mother feels complete when she fulfills her role in protecting her child from harm. If a child is diagnosed with a terminal illness and reaches End of Life (EOL), the mother’s life is affected negatively. The mother is affected mentally, psychologically, and physically because her child is dying.Purpose: Explore the recent studies that focused on experiences of mothers caring for a child receiving End of Life Care (EOLC) at home or a healthcare facility.Methods: An electronic search was done in multiple databases, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, and Academic Search Complete. The included studies were published within the past five years, studies about EOL/ EOLC, hospice care, pediatric care, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies. Thematic synthesis following PRISMA guidelines. Results: Four themes emerged from the thematic synthesis. The main themes included decision making challenges, communication with healthcare professionals, parents’ support system, and grief. Parents were included in most studies. However, the number of mothers exceeded the number of fathers. Some researchers mentioned that there was no difference between their participants (most participants were Caucasian). Conclusion: There is limited information available about children and their family members’ experiences at EOL/ EOLC in Saudi Arabia as has been studied in other countries. Based on this systematic review, more studies are needed related to children at EOL in Saudi Arabia.

A quality improvement/evidence-based practice project identified the critical components of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) transition-to-practice (TTP) needs based on the experiences and perceptions of entry-level CNSs (n = 4), experienced CNSs (n = 7), and directors of nursing (n = 6) employed in a tertiary healthcare center. Structured 60- to 90-minute face-to-face discussions were conducted.As knowledge workers, CNSs are critical to investigating, solving, and transforming some of the most challenging current and future healthcare problems. Lack of standardized CNS TTP may result in variable levels of practice, knowledge, skill attainment, and ability to attain interdisciplinary practice competencies.Findings included identification of entry-level CNS TTP key components: 16 categories with 8 critical categories identified as imminent needs. Challenges identified included stakeholders' lack of knowledge/understanding of the CNS role and scope; enormous TTP expectations of entry-level CNSs; transdisciplinary relationships and collaboration; leadership culture and collaboration; organizational culture; deliberate practice; and lack of support, resources, and basic needs.Critical components for advanced deliberate practice within a CNS TTP program include an organizational culture and subculture that understands and values the CNS, along with tiered sustainable support from preceptors, mentors, and support CNSs across the setting and system.

Nurses' autonomy is essential for optimal pain management in nursing home (NH) residents. However, little is known about nurses' autonomy and how it relates to the issue of unrelieved pain in NH residents in Jordan and beyond. The current descriptive comparative study aimed to compare the prevalence of barriers to pain assessment and management in NH residents, perceived by nurses according to their autonomy level. Participating nurses were found to have low levels of clinical autonomy. A significant difference in the prevalence of perceived barriers to pain assessment and management was found among nurses according to their autonomy level. Findings provide a better understanding of nurses' autonomy and their perceived barriers to pain assessment and management in NH residents. Findings also highlight the significance of nurses' autonomy for the assessment and management of pain in NH residents. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47 (8), 45–52.]

This scoping review focuses on the intersections of racism, health, and health care, as well as interventions for the African American population in Milwaukee, Wisconsin-one of the most hypersegregated regions in the country. We investigate what existing research provides about the impact of segregation and racism on health and consider how community setting informs health interventions, practice, and policy.We analyzed studies that address racism and health in Milwaukee to assess the state of the science in this area. We searched databases using the terms "African American," "racism," "segregation," and "health." A total of 296 studies resulted, and 54 met the inclusion criteria.Racism is a known determinant of health. However, a lack of research investigating the impact of racism on health in Milwaukee County leaves a knowledge gap necessary for improving health among African American residents. The adverse effects of racism on health are compounded by the social, economic, and policy context of geographic and social segregation that limit access to care and resilience. Themes identified in the review include measures of physical and mental health, community factors related to health (eg, housing, environmental contamination, economic and social exclusion), intervention strategies, and theoretical gaps.Professionals must work across disciplines and social sectors to address the effects of racism on the physical and mental health of African American individuals in urban metropolitan environments. Health research and medical interventions in hypersegregated communities must center structural racism in their analysis.

Studies investigating children and families’ experiences at end of life in Saudi Arabia are limited. However, one factor found to have an impact on patient and primary caregiver end of life care is Islam. Since women are the primary caregivers for children in Saudi Arabia, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Muslim women caring for a child at end of life. Using a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with 24 female primary caregivers caring for a child at end of life. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The researchers found that Islamic beliefs and practices had a positive influence on primary caregivers’ experiences. Islamic beliefs and practices helped support participants through their child’s end of life experience. Results have implications for health care education, practice, policy, and future research on end of life in Saudi Arabia other Muslim countries.

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to describe and examine the impact of medication intervention practices among African-American clients in two nurse-led community nursing centers (CNCs). METHODS This study used a retrospective-descriptive design. Omaha System data from visits of 196 African-American adults living with chronic disease and having two or more CNC visits in which medication regimen was an identified problem and the main reason for the visit was analyzed. RESULTS The sample had a mean age of 53.1 (6.67) and was primarily women (82%), uninsured, and with high school or less education. A total of 9,259 Medication regimen interventions were documented and implemented during 1,146 client CNC visits. A paired samples t test revealed statistically significant improvements in Knowledge (t = 2.434, p

Physical inactivity and loss of muscle mass, strength, and function are associated with negative outcomes including disability and a decline in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults. Older adults living in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are at greater risk for declining physical activity and muscle outcomes compared to community-dwelling older adults. Few researchers studying the association of muscle and physical activity have examined the distinction between physical and mental HRQoL. Understanding the differential association of physical and mental HRQoL to physical activity and muscle outcomes can inform the development of useful interventions. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between physical activity, muscle mass, strength, function and physical and mental HRQoL. Using a descriptive, correlational design, 105 older adults living in CCRCs were recruited. Light physical activity (LPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), sedentary behavior, and steps per day were assessed using ActiGraph GT3X. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) was assessed with bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy, handgrip strength with JAMAR Smart Hand Dynamometer, muscle function with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test, and physical and mental HRQoL with the SF-36 questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 83 (SD=7.4). Using multiple regression models adjusted for sex and age, steps per day and SPPB score explained 38.4 % of the variance in physical HRQoL. Handgrip strength explained 8 % of the variance in mental HRQoL. These findings suggest that QoL improvement programs should include components to improve physical activity, muscle strength and function.

ObjectivesAdvance care planning (ACP) is linked with high-quality clinical outcomes at the end of life. However, ACP engagement is lower among African Americans than among Whites. In this study, we sought to identify correlates of ACP among African American women with multiple chronic conditions for two reasons: (1) African American women with multiple chronic conditions have high risks for serious illnesses, more intensive treatments, and circumstances that may require substitutes' decision-making and (2) identifying correlates of ACP among African American women can help us identify important characteristics to inform ACP outreach and interventions for this group.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 116 African American women aged ≥50 years who were recruited from the central area of a mid-western city.ResultsOn average, participants were 64 years old (SD = 9.42). The majority were not married (78%), had less than a college education (50%), and had an annual income of $15,000 (54%). Their mean numbers of chronic conditions and prescribed medications were 3.31 (SD = 1.25) and 8.75 (SD = 4.42), respectively. Fifty-nine per cent reported having talked with someone about their preferences (informal ACP); only 30% had completed a living will or a power of attorney for healthcare (formal ACP). Logistic regression showed that age, the number of hospitalizations or emergency department visits, and the number of prescription medications were significantly correlated with both informal and formal ACP; other demographic and psychosocial characteristics (the knowledge of ACP, self-efficacy, and trust in the medical system) were not.Significance of resultsResults of this study suggest a need for targeted, culturally sensitive outpatient ACP education to promote ACP engagement in older African American women, taking into account age, the severity of chronic conditions, and levels of medication management.

This study aims to examine how the sociodemographic and professional characteristics of nurses in Jordan correlate with their levels of knowledge, attitudes, and ageism toward older adults. Ageism has not been studied in Jordan as it pertains to nurses, so a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design, with a convenience sample of 317 Jordanian nurses, using the Fact on Aging Quiz 1, Fraboni Scale of Ageism, and Relating to Older People Evaluation was conducted in January to February 2019. Significant ageism was found, and differences in knowledge, attitudes, and negative ageism vary among nurses by sociodemographic/professional characteristics. Knowledge and attitudes toward older adults significantly correlate with negative ageism which is associated with poor health outcomes for older adults. Our findings reveal that even in a country with high religious observance and close family ties, ageism exists in healthcare settings because of nurses' poor knowledge and attitudes toward older adults. These findings have implications for nursing education, clinical practice, and health policy. Changes across these sectors based on the findings may contribute to reducing ageist practices and improving older adult health outcomes.

Individuals with multiple chronic diseases are often prescribed medications for each condition and thus must manage a drug regimen. Medication self-management is challenging for most individuals with chronic diseases, but it can be especially difficult for African American older women. This study investigated how medical mistrust, caregiver role strain, and other relevant variables may be associated with medication self-management behaviors (MSMB) among African American older women, and whether goal congruence and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between the predictor variables and MSMB. A sample of 116 African American older (age >50 years) women from central Milwaukee participated in this correlational, cross-sectional study. Although goal congruence and self-efficacy were not found to act as mediators, the main finding was that goal congruence, self-efficacy, and age predicted 30% of the variance in MSMB. The results suggest that it is essential to strengthen individual self-efficacy, determine the goals that individuals have for their medication regimen, and develop support mechanisms to help patients attain these goals to better manage chronic disease. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2019; 12(2):71–79.]

African Americans continue to experience significant health disparities in the top chronic diseases. It is essential to determine specific factors salient to this population to develop precise self-management support interventions. Medication self-management behavior (MSMB) is a crucial component of chronic disease self-management. To determine population specific factors that may affect MSMB, medical mistrust, caregiver role strain, the medication regimen, goal congruence and self-efficacy were studied in urban African American older women (N-=116) to determine their relationship to medication self-management. Age positively predicted medication self-management. Controlling for age, goal congruence and self-efficacy accounted for 30% of the variance in medication self-management behaviors in this population. The women in the study had a mean age of 64, an average of four chronic diseases, were taking nine prescription medications and 29% were hospitalized in the past year and 35% visited an emergency department. 71% were family caregivers with high rates of direct and indirect caregiving, but low reported caregiver role strain. Seventeen percent had executive dysfunction and this did not correlate with MSMB. The results of this original research support that goal congruence and self-efficacy enhancing strategies should be built into self-management support interventions for African American older women. Findings also suggest that the impact of high caregiving activities in African American women needs further study as it relates to role strain and chronic disease self-management.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a nurse-led, church-based educational support group for "at-risk," older African Americans on hospitalization and emergency department use. Study nurses enrolled 81 "at-risk" older adult members of ten churches. Participants completed a trifold pamphlet identifying personal health information and support, and they attended eight monthly educational/support group sessions in their church during the 10-month intervention. Study nurses completed a risk assessment interview with each senior both pre- and post-participation. The study nurse completed post-program assessments with 64 seniors, a 79% retention rate. At the program's conclusion researchers conducted a focus group with the study RNs and used an anonymous written survey to gather participant appraisals of program elements. Neither hospitalization nor emergency department/urgent care usage was significantly different from pre- to post-program. Session attendance was moderate to high and over half of the seniors brought a family member or friend to one or more sessions. The majority of seniors initiated positive health changes (e.g., smoking cessation, weight loss, or diet changes). Participants expressed high satisfaction and expressed satisfaction to perceive that they were supporting other seniors in their community. We conclude that this intervention was successful in engaging and motivating seniors to initiate health behavior change and contributed to a health-supportive church-based community. To demonstrate a statistically significant difference in hospital and ED usage, however, a stronger intervention or a larger sample size is needed.

People receiving skilled nursing care have multiple comorbid conditions that impact comfort and resource utilization. This longitudinal study describes variations in the trajectories of new physical problems emerging over 8 weeks and the predictive value for future health and behavior in residents from two nursing homes with dementia. The sample of 72 had 668 new physical problems with a range of 2 to 37 occurring over eight weeks. Sixty-five percent of the sample (n = 47) had 5 or more new problems and were identified by three unstable trajectories. Thirty-nine percent (n = 28) had a spike in new problems of 4 or more in one week. Spikes, new physical problems, and the problem-free duration predicted 23.6% of the variance in both new physical problems and new agitation occurring in the subsequent month (p < .001). Common problems, acute illness, and symptoms accounted for 28.2% of the variance in subsequent new physical problems (p < .001) and 25.7% of the variance in subsequent agitation (p < .001). The frequency of new problems and differences in the patterns of how these problems emerged over a relatively short time period suggests instability and variability in physiologic health that has not been previously identified. The possible existence of different pathways of decline may have important implications for health care delivery. Findings suggest a higher intensity of need for skilled assessment and treatment than may be available in many long-term care organizations.

In a nation plagued by skyrocketing healthcare costs, is there an affordable way to address health needs of older African Americans in medically underserved areas? The Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Elder Community Health Upholder (ECHU) project indicates yes, we can. The key: A partnership that guides committed volunteers focused on establishing and sustaining health initiatives in faith-based settings.

A major challenge in health care today is to provide high-quality care that results in the best outcomes possible for patients and residents within the limits of available resources. Throughout the past decade, there has been a call from ethicists for health care institutions to integrate the ethics and quality improvement processes. This article describes how a transitional/extended care facility integrated the quality improvement process within an ethical framework to achieve high-quality care while controlling cost.