Health Education Interventions for Improving Self-Care Behaviors in the Elderly Population
دوره 2، شماره 2، 1405، صفحات 27 - 38
نویسندگان : Fatemeh Ganji Pour Sarahi*
1، Mohammad Azadi
2، Mozhgan Ali
3، Saeed Abdzade
4، Faezeh Amirpour
5
1- 1Master's degree student in Geriatric Nursing, Shahed University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- 2MSc in Community Health Nursing, Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3- 3Bsc in Nursing, Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
4- 4Master's student in Health Education and Health Promotion, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5- 5Bsc in Surgical Technology, Infertility treatment center, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Khorramabad, Iran
چکیده :
The elderly population faces multiple challenges in maintaining health and independence due to aging-related physical, cognitive, and social changes. Self-care behaviors, including proper medication management, balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, personal hygiene, and preventive health practices, are essential for reducing the risk of chronic disease complications and enhancing quality of life. Despite their importance, many older adults encounter barriers such as cognitive decline, low health literacy, limited mobility, social isolation, and psychological factors that hinder consistent engagement in self-care. Health education interventions have emerged as a critical strategy to address these challenges by providing knowledge, practical skills, and motivational support tailored to the needs of elderly individuals. This article examines the theoretical foundations, types, and delivery methods of health education programs designed to improve self-care behaviors among older adults and explores the barriers and facilitators that affect program implementation. Six practical strategies are proposed, including individualized education, group-based workshops, technology-assisted learning, community-based activities, caregiver involvement, and culturally and contextually appropriate program designs. Evidence from previous studies indicates that multi-component interventions integrating these strategies significantly enhance self-care knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, fostering greater independence, well-being, and quality of life in elderly populations. Implementing comprehensive, evidence-based, and accessible health education programs not only supports active and healthy aging but also reduces healthcare costs, alleviates caregiver burden, and promotes sustainable improvements in self-care practices
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