Building a model of self-care for health promotion in aging.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize knowledge about self-care in older community-dwelling people, identify essential dimensions of self-care related to health promotion and well-being in aging, and organize the findings into a literature-based, integrated model with applicability in practice, research, and education.


METHODS
Self-care and health promotion. Related concepts included self-concept, self-care ability, and self-care activity.


METHODS
These terms were used to search Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO data bases. Theoretical and research articles from the last decade that related to self-care and health promotion in community-dwelling elders and that provided recommendations for education and practice were selected for inclusion in the analysis.


RESULTS
Self-care for health promotion in independent elders is multidimensional. Synthesis of literature findings resulted in development of the model of Self-care for Health Promotion in Aging, with five dimensions: internal and external environment, self-care ability, education, self-care activity, and outcomes. Examples of education plans that are developed in partnership with clients to promote better health and maximize quality of life are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from current theoretical and empirical literature were synthesized to develop a model of self-care for health promotion in aging. Suggestions are made regarding application of the model in clinical practice and further theory building and hypothesis testing.
Leenerts
Mary Hobbs
MH
University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS, USA. mleenerts@kumc.edu
Teel
Cynthia S
CS
Pendleton
Mary K
MK
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009742:Nursing Theory; D012648:Self Care