Revolutionizing Self-Care for the Aging Population
As the world’s population ages, the concept of self-care for older adults is undergoing a transformation. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis sheds light on this evolving paradigm.
The Source Article Details
Self-care interventions of community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Estela Gonzalez-Gonzalez et al. in 2023.
The Source Article's Abstract
Introduction
The current notion of 'care in old age' should be reconceptualized in the ageing societies of the 21st century. Currently, 'being old' means that one is actively involved in their care and has the desire to retain control and independence.
Objective
Understand and analyze the efficacy of interventions in the physical and psychological self-care practices of healthy community-dwelling older people.
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis. The guidelines of the PRISMA guide were followed. The methodological quality of the studies was checked using Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care criteria, and the search was performed between 2016 and 2021.
Results
Of the 1,866 evaluated, 8 studies met the criteria. The systematic review reveals that self-care interventions focus on physical health-related variables but not on psychological variables. The meta-analysis shows that interventions significantly improve physical health-related variables (care visits, hospital admission, medication, and gait speed).
The Source Article References
- Declive cognitivo de atención y memoria en adultos mayores sanos by Villavicencio, 2020 in Cuadernos de Neuropsicología
- Theories of self-care and self-management of long-term conditions by community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-ethnography by Lawless, 2021 in Soc Sci Med
- Adaptation for growth via learning new skills as a means to long-term functional Independence in older adulthood: insights from emerging adulthood by Nguyen, 2018 in Gerontologist
- Self-care research: how to grow the evidence base? by Jaarsma, 2020 in Int J Nurs Stud
- The self-care matrix: a unifying framework for self-care by El-Osta, 2019 in Int J Self Help Self Care
- Promoting bio psycho social health of older adults using a community for successful ageing program (com SA) in Singapore: a mixed-methods evaluation by Aw, 2020 in Soc Sci Med
- Life situation and identity among single older home-living people: a phenomenological–hermeneutic study by Dale, 2012 in Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being
- Chronic disease self-management among Iranian older adults: a scoping review by Zarrin, 2020 in J Appl Gerontol
- Instruments for the detection of frailty syndrome in older adults: a systematic review by Faller, 2019 in PLoS One
- Exercise interventions in healthy older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Vlietstra, 2018 in Australas J Ageing
- Effects of self-management support programmes on activities of daily living of older adults: a systematic review by van het Bolscher-Niehuis, 2016 in Int J Nurs Stud
- The psychological impact of a nurse-led proactive self-care program on independent, non-frail community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial by Wong, 2020 in Int J Nurs Stud
- Effectiveness of a community-based self-care promoting program for community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial by Wong, 2019 in Age Ageing
- Effects of an in-home multicomponent exergame training on physical functions, cognition, and brain volume of older adults: a randomized controlled trial by Adcock, 2020 in Front Med
- Cost-effectiveness of a preventive self-care health management program for community-dwelling older adults: a randomised controlled trial by Wong, 2021 in Age Ageing
- Combining volunteers and primary care teamwork to support health goals and needs of older adults: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial by Dolovich, 2019 in Can Med Assoc J
- Evaluation of a self-care education program for older adults in Iran using a lifestyle improvement model by Tavakkoli Oskuei, 2022 in Int J Older People Nursing
- A preventative lifestyle intervention for older adults (lifestyle matters): a randomised controlled trial by Mountain, 2017 in Age Ageing
- The effectiveness of an active learning program in promoting a healthy lifestyle among older adults with low health literacy: a randomized controlled trial by Uemura, 2021 in Gerontology
- The burden of disease in older people and implications for health policy and practice by Prince, 2015 in Lancet
Citing the Source Article (APA)
Gonzalez-Gonzalez, E., Requena, C. (2023). Self-care interventions of community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1254172-1254172. 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1254172
What Does Being Old Mean Today?
The study challenges the traditional notion that “being old” equates to dependency. Instead, it argues for a proactive approach where older adults are actively involved in their care.
It’s not just about managing diseases; it’s about enhancing physical and psychological well-being.
How Effective Are Current Interventions?
The study evaluated 1,866 interventions and found that most focus solely on physical health. While these have shown effectiveness in improving physical health-related variables, they lack in addressing psychological aspects.
Given the significant role of mental health in overall well-being, this is a glaring gap in current self-care programs for older adults.
PP-ICONS: A Closer Look
- Problem: Efficacy of self-care interventions for older adults.
- Population: Community-dwelling older adults.
- Intervention: Various self-care programs.
- Comparison: Physical vs. psychological health variables.
- Outcome: Physical health variables improved; psychological variables not adequately addressed.
- Number of Subjects: 1,866 interventions evaluated, 8 met the criteria.
- Statistics: Meta-analysis conducted.
What’s Next in Elderly Self-Care?
The study concludes that future self-care programs must incorporate psychological variables to be truly effective. This could be a game-changer in how we approach self-care for older adults.
It’s time for healthcare providers, policymakers, and families to take note and act.
What are your thoughts on this new approach to elderly self-care? How can we make self-care more holistic for older adults? Share your insights below.