Learning Objective #1: Identify the challenges incurred by individuals with Stage III Heart Failure

Learning Objective #2: Identify at least three nursing implications for the holistic care of individuals with Stage III HF

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Heart Failure (HF) is an increasingly common diagnosis for elderly individuals as more people survive once fatal cardiac events due to advances in science and technology. Nurses will care for increased numbers of individuals with HF as our aging population continues to grow. HF is a chronic illness, and as it progresses, all aspects of the individual's life are affected. Nurses should develop an understanding of how HF affects the individual's life in order to provide holistic nursing care.

A phenomenological investigation posed the question “What is the day to day experience of living with Stage III Heart Failure?” Colaizzi's (1978) method of analysis revealed 15 themes describing the vast effects of Stage III HF on an individual's life. The themes were categorized into three main theme clusters entitled Coping and Comfort, Limitations and Losses, and Feelings and Fears. According to Colaizzi's method, an exhaustive description and fundamental descriptive identification were developed which provide a vivid description of the day to day experience of living with Stage III HF.

Furthermore, the findings of this study have implications for both nursing practice and education that will enhance the care of individuals with HF. The implications for practice include provision of anticipatory guidance, education, and further development of support groups with family involvement. Implications for nursing education include using the emergent themes and exhaustive description as background for the development of case studies and for initiation of discussions having a focus on holistic care.