title: Support for significant others of elderly cardiac patients.
abstract: In the United States, approximately 12.5 million persons aged 65 and older have some form of cardiovascular disease, and many of these will experience an acute cardiac event. The ensuing crisis necessitates the formulation of a strong support system with the spouse or other significant person. The nurse is in a unique position to be at the helm of this support structure. The ultimate goal is to enable the older heart patient to return home and to be safely guided to as full a recovery as possible within physical limitations.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fournet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*