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

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