The high prevalence of hypertension among the Canadian older adult population is a significant public health care issue. The evidence indicates that primary care nurses are crucial in providing high-quality care and education for older adults diagnosed with hypertension. Further, nurses can close education gaps by focusing on lifestyle modification and action strategies. This project aimed to conduct an integrative literature review investigating the proposed research question: “How can nurses close the educational gaps for older adults diagnosed with hypertension by addressing the risk factors in the primary care setting?” A comprehensive search of several databases retrieved 19 primary sources that provided evidence related to hypertension education for older adults. The following themes emerged from the research: hypertension education, knowledge translation tools, barriers, cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, therapeutic interpersonal relationships, and a collaborative approach. A gap analysis was conducted in Prince George, British Columbia. The gap analysis further solidified the evidence found in the primary research. Recommendations for enhancing education, practice, and future research are discussed concerning hypertension education based on nurse encounters with older adult patients in the primary care setting. The findings from this project have important implications for supporting the nurse’s educational role in the treatment and management of hypertension among the older adult population.
