In:
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, Wiley, Vol. 21, No. 4 ( 2007-12), p. 456-466
Abstract:
Aim: To review the literature related to self‐care and health promotion for elders and to develop an understanding of self‐care as a health resource. Background: Self‐care may improve health and prevent illness and disabilities in elders. Although studies of self‐care are numerous, the significance of the concept as a health resource for elders lacks clarity. Before 1989, research focused principally on medical self‐care at the expense of health care, and self‐care was seen more as supplementary to professional health care rather than as a health‐promoting approach in health care. Method: In this integrative review from 2006, we selected theoretical and empirical articles published between 1990 and 2006, where self‐care was related to elders’ health promotion. Data were extracted from primary sources and included definitions of self‐care, critical attributes, antecedents, goals and outcomes. We interactively compared data and display matrices to describe self‐care as a health resource. Results: Fifty‐seven articles addressed health self‐care and were integrated into a framework of self‐care as a health resource of elders. Self‐care was identified as a two‐dimensional construct including action capabilities and processes for health in self‐care practice. The capabilities consisted of fundamental capabilities, power capabilities and performance capabilities. The action processes included a process of life experience, a learning process and an ecological process. Conclusion: This review offers insight into self‐care as a significant health resource of elders with different health status. It suggests that an elder's self‐care ability is determined by the interaction of various sub‐resources and conditions and emphasizes the constantly evolving nature of self‐care. The framework may be of use in clinical practice, policy‐making and research into health care of frail or robust elders.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0283-9318
,
1471-6712
DOI:
10.1111/scs.2007.21.issue-4
DOI:
10.1111/j.1471-6712.2006.00491.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2007
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2031090-0
