Effect of a Web-Based Educational Intervention on Quality of Life in Older Adults with Chronic Diseases: An Application of Orem’s Self-Care Theory

Introduction: Elderly individuals with chronic diseases face numerous challenges in maintaining their quality of life. Self-care is considered an effective strategy for disease management and improving quality of life. Orem's Self-Care Theory can provide an effective framework for empowering older adults in this regard. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the effect of a web-based educational program based on Orem's self-care theory on the quality of life of older adults with chronic diseases. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design was conducted in 2024 on 140 elderly individuals with chronic illnesses who referred to teaching hospitals in Zahedan. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group used a researcher-developed software for two months. This software was based on Orem’s theory with a disease-centered approach and included three specific modules (diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease) as well as shared content rooted in Orem's model. Both groups completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire at baseline and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, paired t-test, and independent t-test. Results: The findings showed that the majority of elderly participants in both the intervention group (65.71%) and the control group (57.4%) were women. The mean general quality of life score before the intervention was 58.51 ± 5.28 in the intervention group and 57.56 ± 4.91 in the control group. After the intervention, the mean score increased to 64.97 ± 4.99 in the intervention group, while it was 57.08 ± 5.50 in the control group. Self-care education based on Orem’s model significantly improved quality of life in all domains within the intervention group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Self-care education based on Orem’s theory significantly improves the quality of life in elderly individuals with chronic diseases and can be utilized as an effective intervention in care programs.