EDUCATIONAL SELF-CARE INTERVENTIONS IN CAREGIVERS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

To analyze educational interventions to improve knowledge and skills in caregiving and self-care capacity in caregivers of elderly people. Material and Method: An integrative review was carried out between May and June 2023 using the following databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, LILACS, BDENF. The search was conducted without language filters and included studies published up to December 2022. The review included intervention studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, and cluster studies. The selection and analysis were performed by the research team. A total of 165 publications were identified. After the first analysis, 139 were excluded, and after review, 14 were eliminated because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Finally, 12 articles were selected. Results: Only three of the analyzed studies were conducted by nursing professionals. The topics addressed regarding caregiving knowledge and skills for the elderly included involving other family members in care, knowledge about disease, modifying the environment, problem solving and communication, and managing emotions and stress. Topics addressed regarding self-care included self-recognition, self reflection, and nutritional orientation. Conclusions: Since interventions for the self-care of caregivers of elderly individuals are scarce, it is necessary to design interventions that strengthen caregivers’ knowledge and skills regarding functional dependence and self-care.