title: Elderly self-management: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The population of elderly in Iran and in the world is increasing. It is predicted that the population of elderly reaches to 10 millions in Iran by the year 2019. Elders more than other age groups are at risk of chronic diseases and health problems; and elderly affects their self-management and makes them feel disabled. Since the knowledge of self-management for Iranian elderly is not well developed, this paper aimed to determine the concept of self-management for Iranian elders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a qualitative study with grounded theory approach on Iranian elderly self-management. Data were collected through deep interviews with 26 participants in a period of one year and were analyzed using a Strauss Corbin analysis method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-management in the context of power means using different managing methods in dealing with daily life needs, especially in interactions with others in a way that accelerates affairs with efficiency and satisfaction. The main categories emerged from this qualitative study included: managing plans, managing life goals and policies, persuading the desired goals, managing self-care, directing others, coordinating and consulting with others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study provided a deep understanding of elderly perceptions of self-management in their lives. These findings can be a baseline for future researches on developing effective health interventions such as developing a nursing model for increasing the elderly self-management abilities in Iran. Such a model can provide a strong basis for nursing care.
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences and The Persian Gulf Tropical and Infectious Disease Research Center, Bushehr, Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Ravanipour
authors: Shayesteh
authors: S
authors: Salehi
authors: Fariba
authors: F
authors: Taleghani
authors: Heidar Ali
authors: HA
authors: Abedi
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