Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing

Introduction: Diabetes is a debilitating and common disease in elderlies, the prevalence of which is rapidly increasing; it becomes more severe with aging. Self-care training is the key to controlling diabetes. The aim of this study was performing self-care training program and evaluating its impact on the quality of life in elderlies with diabetes.

Methods: The sampling technique was used to study 60 participants in two groups, who were randomly selected by drawing samples. Data collection tools included health status and quality of life in elderlies’ questionnaire, as well as blood glycosylated hemoglobin tests before and after the intervention. The training program was designed in six sessions. In this study, methods and statistical indicators such as frequency, Mann-Whitney, chi-squared, t-test and paired t-test, and analysis of covariance were used, and analysis was performed by version 19 of the SPSS software.

Results: The results showed that the quality of life in the intervention group compared with the control group significantly increased (P < 0.001). The quality of life in the experimental group after the intervention than before the intervention significantly increased (P < 0.001), but in the control group there was no significant difference between the two assessments (P = 0.33).

Conclusions: These studies showed that self-care training program improved and enhanced the quality of life in the elderlies with diabetes, and if these trainings are based on knowledge and use the teaching methods appropriate for elderlies with diabetes, they could pave the way for active aging.