Clinical impact of a personalized hypertension care approach on blood pressure and quality of life in older adults

Introduction and aim. Hypertension is highly prevalent among older adults and contributes significantly to poor health outcomes and a reduced quality of life, especially in rural populations. Although pharmacological treatment is essential, individualized nonpharmacological strategies are increasingly recognized for their role in optimizing chronic disease management. The present study investigated the effects of an individualized hypertension care strategy on blood pressure control and the quality of life of older patients who reside in rural areas. Material and methods. A quasiexperimental pre-post-test study with control group design was conducted involving 112 elderly participants with hypertension in Central Java, Indonesia. The intervention group (n=56) received a personalized care approach that included customized nursing education, self-care support, and family involvement over a one-month period. The control group (n=56) received standard care. The measured were systolic and diastolic blood pressure (using a digital sphygmomanometer) and quality of life (using the OPQOL-Brief questionnaire). Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests. Results. After the intervention, the intervention group showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (from 157.6±11.9 to 138.2±10.4 mmHg, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (from 94.5±8.7 to 83.3±7.9 mmHg, p<0.001). Quality of life scores also improved significantly in all domains, including physical health, psychological well-being, and social relationships (p<0.001). In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in either outcome. Conclusion. The personalized approach to hypertension care was effective in lowering blood pressure and improving quality of life among older adults with hypertension. These findings suggest that individualized, low-cost strategies can enhance chronic disease management, particularly in rural or resource-limited settings.