Effect of Care Dependency on Self-Management and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Chronic Diseases

Aim This study was planned as a cross-sectional and correlational study to determine the effect of care dependency on chronic disease, self-management, and quality of life in the elderly individuals with chronic diseases. Methods A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 200 older adults diagnosed with chronic diseases and living in a nursing home in western Turkey. Data were collected data collection tools and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A significant difference was found between employment and Care Dependency status of older adults and chronic disease self-management. Conclusion Increasing age and prolonged chronic disease duration reduce independence and quality of life. Strategies aimed at promoting independence, improving functional capacity, and enhancing self-management are essential to maintaining a higher quality of life. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Health professionals should plan the care and treatment of the older adults with chronic diseases with a holistic perspective while identifying the health problems that the older adults with chronic diseases experience and may experience, provide education and counseling to the older adults and their families to increase functional capacity, and take an active role in improving the quality of life of the older adult and adding years to life by making special care and education plans for each older adults and their families. Patient or Public Contribution: These findings provide practical guidance for health care management and highlight the need for individualized care and the priority of promoting independence to improve self-management and quality of life of older adults with chronic diseases.