Implications for practice and research

• The study provides preliminary evidence that engaging families in discharge education to older patients with heart failure (HF) and cognitive impairment (CI) reduces readmissions.

• Based on the study, more research is needed to address the limitations and refine the intervention to accommodate patients’ self-care competencies and the capacities of families.

Context

HF is a highly complex progressive syndrome that accounts for a substantial proportion of morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adults where HF is most prevalent.1 A mainstay of HF management is patient self-care including adherence to multifaceted therapies, lifestyle changes, and monitoring of symptoms so that appropriate actions are taken.2 Multimorbidity adds to …