Capacidade de autocuidado segundo a qualidade de vida entre pessoas idosas, residentes em um município do sul de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Aging is a complex process that affects different systems of the body and various aspects of an individual's life. Improving quality of life and reducing health risks are linked to engaging in physical activities, regular health check-ups, dietary control, and leisure activities. In other words, self-care influences an individual's quality of life. The general objective of this study is to analyze self-care capacity in relation to quality of life among elderly people living in a municipality in southern Minas Gerais. Method: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study. The participants were elderly individuals aged 60 or older, both male and female, living in a city in southern Minas Gerais. Inclusion Criteria: The ability to communicate verbally and cognitively, assessed using the Mental Assessment Questionnaire. Exclusion Criteria: Institutionalized elderly individuals. For data collection, four research instruments were used: the Mental Assessment Questionnaire (Proposed by Khan, Goldfarb, Pollack, and Peck in 1960) (used for inclusion criteria), Sociodemographic and Health Characterization, WHOQOL-Bref Quality of Life Scale, WHOQOL-OLD, and the Self-Care Capacity Assessment Scale (EACAC). For data analysis, a database (SPSS version 22.0) was used. Descriptive statistics (mean and frequency) were applied to sociodemographic and health data, and exploratory multivariate analysis (cluster analysis) was conducted for variables related to self-care and quality of life. Results: With a sample of 100 elderly participants, the study demonstrated that an individual's ability to manage their own health and well-being through self-care positively influences their quality of life. 98% of the sample were classified as having a higher self-care capacity (good, very good, or excellent). Regarding quality of life, 69% of participants had better quality of life, while 31% had worse quality of life. Moreover, sociodemographic data (age, sex, education, children, marital status, income, religion, physical activity, medication use, and chronic diseases) played a crucial role in self-care capacity and, consequently, in the quality of life of individuals, particularly the elderly. Conclusion: Self-care plays a key role in improving the quality of life of elderly individuals. The research highlighted that most participants demonstrated high self-care capacity, which directly reflected in better quality of life outcomes. However, sociodemographic factors, such as education, marital status, and health conditions, were also significant determinants of quality of life variation among the elderly. Therefore, promoting self-care and understanding the influence of these factors is essential for developing public health strategies aimed at the elderly population, focusing on well-being and longevity with quality.