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To assess the effect of a multicomponent intervention on reducing social isolation and loneliness and improving the quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. A cluster-randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 56 older adults participated in the control group and 63 older adults in the experimental group. The intervention consisted of 6 home-based face-to-face sessions, intercalated with 5 telephone calls and was conducted by nursing students and volunteer staff with experience in the subject. The study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2019. In terms of statistical analysis, several procedures were carried out: a statistical analysis per protocol and intention to treat, considering isolation, loneliness and quality of life as endpoints; a comparison of paired means, to analyse the behaviour of the outcome variables at baseline and the end of the study; and finally, a binary logistic regression analysis, considering social support as a dependent variable. The study results do not show the effectiveness of the modified CARELINK programme, analysed as a whole, on the decrease in social isolation or loneliness or the improvement in HRQL. However, a detailed analysis of the behaviour of some of the variables during the study indicates some results that deserve to be commented on. Comparing the mean confidential support scores between the experimental and control group at the initial and final stages shows significant differences in the analysis by protocol, and close to statistical significance in the analysis by intention to treat. Comparing the paired means obtained in the experimental group, an improvement in emotional loneliness scores was found. Finally, the variables associated with the social support of the subjects at the end of the follow-up period were as follows: having people who help them and mobility. Although the results obtained do not allow us to affirm that the intervention programme is effective, these same results point to improved confidential support and emotional loneliness in older adults participating in the intervention. Having people to help them and a greater degree of mobility are factors favouring the decrease in social isolation. This study suggested that modified CARELINK, a multicomponent intervention performed by trained volunteers, could improve confidential support in community-dwelling older adults. It also reports the importance of considering the level of mobility and support networks as determinants of the improvement caused by the intervention.

The role of nurse case managers (NCM) involves a rarely visible emotional labor, even more when their role focuses on the care of elders at risk (EAR). Motivated by the lack of qualitative research on the emotional universe of NCM, this study explores the emotional universe (EU) of NCM regarding the care they provide to EAR in primary health care as well as the reasons that generate these emotions. An interpretative–phenomenological approach was implemented in southern Spain, with a purposive sampling that included nurses playing the NCM role for at least three years. Data collection was conducted in two periods (between September 2019 and July 2022). The primary collection tool was the semi-structured individual interview, with starting categories based on Bisquerra’s EU taxonomy. The analysis followed Ricoeur’s considerations, using the Nvivo software. In the NCM’s EU, the recognition of the social phenomena stands out, with an open feeling of empathy regarding the desire of the EAR to continue living at home. However, there was also helplessness, resignation, disappointment, and frustration when EAR rejected their proposals. Furthermore, the system’s limitations aroused compassion in the NCM and made them go beyond the limits of their role. This EU requires that their role be valued more, and higher responsiveness must be enforced to improve EAR care.

Aim To acquire an understanding of the emotional universe of intensive care unit nurses, working in Spain and the United Kingdom. Methodology The study used a hermeneutic study design and was set in an academic environment. Participants included nurses with clinical experience in intensive care units. Data were collected from seven in-depth interviews, four in Spanish and three in English. The analysis followed Ricoeur’s Theory of Interpretation. The affective taxonomy Universe of Emotions, served to establish starting categories in it. Findings Six themes were identified: 1) Critical patient care, critical context; 2) Intensive care… for whom?; 3) Nursing a dying patient; 4) In the company of others; 5) But… is it worth it? and 6) Emotional labour is crucial. These all describe different, multifaceted nurses’ affective journeys, through categories such as: So little time-so much to do, Relatives, Young death vs. elderly death, Poorly-valued work and I'm in the profession I want to be. Conclusion The sociocultural context shared by the Spanish and English nurses working in intensive care units generates a complex emotional universe, with opposing affective experiences, such as those related to fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, shame, love, surprise and happiness.