Self-care and its predictive role in the quality of life of the elderly living in the community

Abstract

Introduction: Quality of life is one of the important issues in today's health care. Despite the high importance of self-care and quality of life in improving the health of the elderly, unfortunately, this issue has not been sufficiently addressed in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of self-care capacity of elderly people in improving their quality of life in Bojnourd in 2017. Method: This is a descriptive-analytical study that was carried out by sampling 180 elderly people using a multi-stage cluster sampling method among elderly people living in the city of Bojnourd during the months of August to September. The instruments used in this study were demographic variables, quality of life questionnaire (SF12), self-care capacity questionnaire for elderly people (SASE). SPSS software version 21 was used to describe and analyze the data. Descriptive and analytical statistics such as Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U., Spearman correlation coefficient and multivariable regression analysis were used. Results: The mean age in this study was 69.5 ± 6. The average self-care ability score was 65.44 ± 6.23 and the mean score of quality of life was 26.22 ± 12.26. Among women, about 86 percent of them had low self-care. The relationship between self-care capacity and quality of life was week and was not statistically significant (P<0.05). Also, the predictive power of self-care power to gain higher scores in quality of life was not statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the low self-care capacity of most elderly people in Bojnourd city and especially the elderly women of this city, it is recommended that factors affecting self-care capacity be investigated and planned and measures taken to improve the status of self-care capacity by the relevant authorities. Take up Self-care can not predict changes in the quality of life in the elderly.

Self-Care Ability of the Elderly and Related Factors

“…This finding was consistent with the findings of Rabie & Klopper (2015) studies that self-care in the elderly is low [18]. This finding is consistent with the results obtained in the study of SangSefidi et al [14] and Avazeh et al [13]. However, in the study of Anbari et al, the subjects had a semi-desirable self-care ability [19].…”

“…The results of various studies show that self-care ability is low in the elderly [13]. In the study by SangSefdi et al, the self-care ability of most of the elderly living in Bojnord city was low, and women had a lower level of self-care than men [14]. Prochota et al (2019) concluded that mental health is directly related to self-care.…”

Self-care Ability and Demographic Characteristics among Older Adults in the Urban and Rural Areas of Miandoab, Iran

“…Research findings in Bojnord showed that older men have higher self-care abilities than older women. 17 The results of Salehi and Keikavoosi-Arani's study also indicated a correlation between gender and occupational self-care in the elderly and a correlation between genders. This difference is because jobs are more important for men.…”

The relationship between Happiness with Sleep quality and Self-care ability in community-dwelling older adults

“…Self-care encompasses a wide range of areas like prevention, improving undesirable lifestyles, better acceptance and compliance with the treatment of diseases, prevention of secondary effects of physical and mental problems, and generally reducing the costs of medical services [19][20][21][22]. According to surveys conducted in different countries, on average, 40 to 60 percent of older adults who have a low level of self-care need the help of others to perform their daily activities [23][24][25][26][27]. The results of some studies indicated a signi cant correlation between the two variables of self-care and well-being [28,29].…”