Faith Community Nursing: A Home-and-Community-Based Partner in Long-Term Care

Rural seniors face many barriers to care, but faith community nurses (FCNs) could be a cost- effective partner in promoting wellness and managing chronic and post-acute care needs. In an exploratory study of faith community nursing in a rural area, the prevalence of such programs was assessed and information regarding characteristics, activities, and supports for and barriers to such programs were identified. Results suggest that seniors comprise a large proportion of FCNs’ clientele, and those interactions often include home visits. FCNs are knowledgeable about community resources, serve as advocates, and promote education about advance directives and death and dying. This paper suggests faith community nursing programs, in mutually beneficial partnership with long-term care providers, can offer an additional layer of support to meet rural seniors’ health and long-term care needs within a fragmented, and sometimes difficult to access health care system