Factors influencing self-care behaviors in elderly hemodialysis patients

Abstract

A growing number of patients are supported by dialysis in older age. Care of these patients can be challenging due to chronic healthcare conditions, diminished quality of life, and an increased risk of death. The purposes of this study were to measure self-care behaviors in elderly hemodialysis (HD) patients and to identify variables associated with self-care behaviors. The subjects were 113 elderly patients on HD who visited a tertiary hospital in Seoul between November 5th and 30th, 2012, and consented to participate in the study. The SPSS WIN 15.0 program was used of data analysis. The mean score for self-care behaviors was 3.14. Caring for an arteriovenous fistula, followed by taking medication showed the highest scores for self-care activities, and engaging in social activities and diet control showed the lowest scores. The mean score for social support was 76.8. Significant negative correlation was observed between self-care behaviors and serum phosphorus, and potassium concentration, and significant positive correlation was observed between self-care behaviors and social support. Age, education level, and social support predicted value accounted for 36.8% of the variance in self-care behaviors in elderly hemodialysis patients. Dialysis providers should recognize self-care behaviors as an important nursing issue for elderly hemodialysis patients, and self-care and selfefficacy training should be provided to improve patients ’ confidence in performing selfcare behaviors.