Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Elderly Hypertension Self-Care Index.

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Elderly Hypertension Self-Care Index. METHODS: This was an exploratory mixed method study. Items were developed through conducting a qualitative study with conventional content analysis approach and comprehensively reviewing the existing literature. Then, the developed index was assessed for face, content, and construct validity as well as reliability. RESULTS: Analyses identified four themes of self-care: intelligent acceptance, self-actualization in the pass of the disease, effective supporters, and destructive constraints. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that only 28 items were appropriate which were loaded on six factors, accounting for 45.035% of the total variance of hypertension self-care. Cronbach's alpha and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients of the index were 0.80 and 0.96, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Elderly Hypertension Self-Care Index showed that it is a valid and reliable index in the elderly health context; and can be used for self-care assessment among elderly people with hypertension.

Self-Actualization: Self-Care Outcomes among Elderly Patients with Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the experiences of older patients with hypertension to realize the outcomes of their self-care behaviors for controlling hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a qualitative research with a conventional content analysis approach. The participants consisting of 23 people were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews until data were saturated. Granheim and Lundman's conventional content analysis was applied to analyze the data. RESULTS: After data analysis, four main categories including self-efficacy, active lifestyle, spirituality, and stress management were obtained. These categories show the experience and outcomes of self-care behaviors among elderly patients with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the elderly of their potentials and role in disease control in addition to relying on the power of spirituality provides positive results in hypertension management. Self-actualization of the elderly resulted in resisting against the destructive effects of internal and external stress and moving in the direction of growth. Health professionals should be vigilant to encourage and promote education about the importance and advantages of self-care for elderlies.