Care of community-dwelling older adults by faith community nurses.

In this state-funded study of the impact of faith community nursing, 1,061 notes regarding 713 older adults were retrieved from 75 faith community nurses. Critical contacts were mapped using the Data, Interpretation, Action, Response, and Yield (DIARY) charting format. DIARY notes revealed that disabilities were seemingly avoided when reluctant older adults were coaxed to access care before their illnesses escalated. The nurses solicited help from blended networks, procured assistive devices, cued family members, made environments safe, reengaged those who were despairing, calmed those who were anxious, facilitated recovery aftercare, advocated for those who were neglected, and helped caregivers navigate end-of-life decisions.