Effects of Self-Care Education on Self-Neglect Among Older Adults

Fereshteh  Davoodi; Shahzad  Pashaeypoor; Mehrnoosh  Partovirad; Farshad  Sharifi; Nasrin  Nikpeyma

doi:10.18502/ehj.v10i2.17361

Fereshteh Davoodi Department of Community Health and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shahzad Pashaeypoor Department of Community Health and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehrnoosh Partovirad Department of Community Health and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farshad Sharifi Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Nasrin Nikpeyma Department of Community Health and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ehj.v10i2.17361

Keywords: Self-Neglect, Elder Abuse, Self Care, Health Education, Aged

Abstract

Introduction: Self-neglect, a form of abuse, significantly impacts the physical, mental, and social health of older adults, leading to a diminished quality of life and, in severe cases, death. For older adults experiencing self-neglect, attention to self-care is crucial for preventing or managing health issues. This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-care education on self-neglect among older adults.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2021 with 100 eligible individuals selected from older adults receiving services at comprehensive health service centers in Qazvin, Iran. Participants were chosen using a non-randomized method and were divided into two groups: the self-care education group and the control group. The intervention comprised six outdoor sessions lasting 45-60 minutes each, held twice weekly at a health center. These sessions addressed five dimensions of self-care for older adults, which were validated by experts. Participants in the control group received only routine care. Post-tests were administered six weeks later.

Results: Before the intervention, the mean self-neglect scores were 1.345 ± 0.89 in the control group and 1.453 ± 0.43 in the self-care education group (p = 0.034). After the intervention, mean scores improved significantly to -0.760 ± 0.43 in the self-care education group and -7.056 ± 2.31 in the control group (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Self-care education addressing various dimensions—physical, psychological-emotional, social, and spiritual—can serve as an effective, accessible, and cost-effective strategy for preventing and reducing self-neglect among older adults in care centers and hospitals. Future studies should consider larger populations and diverse cultural contexts to develop comprehensive clinical guidelines for preventing self-neglect