Self-Care Management Among Empty-Nest Older Adults with Hypertension: A Concept Analysis

Background: Population ageing increases the number of older adults living with hypertension, while changes in family structure have led to a growing group of empty-nest older adults who live without their children’s day-to-day support. In this context, successful hypertension control depends heavily on self-care management; however, the concept is often used interchangeably with adherence, self-care, or lifestyle, resulting in blurred conceptual boundaries and imprecise indicators. This paper aims to analyze the concept of self-care management among empty-nest older adults with hypertension. Method: The analysis follows Walker and Avant’s (2019) steps: selecting the concept, determining the purpose of analysis, identifying all uses of the concept through an interdisciplinary literature review, determining defining attributes, constructing a model case, borderline case, and contrary case, identifying antecedents and consequences, and defining empirical referents Result: Five defining attributes were identified: (1) medication adherence and treatment continuity, (2) planned lifestyle modification, (3) blood pressure monitoring and healthcare engagement, (4) community social support and emotional regulation, and (5) capability, motivation, and problem solving. Antecedents include a hypertension diagnosis, empty-nest status, health literacy, access to medicines/validated blood pressure devices/primary care services, comorbidities, loneliness/social isolation, and the availability of local support networks. Conclusion: Consequences include improved blood pressure control, reduced complication risk, better quality of life and independence, and strengthened social connectedness. This concept analysis yields a clear conceptual–operational definition and measurable indicators to support instrument development and more targeted community nursing interventions.