Effect of implementing Orem,s self-care program on the self- esteem of elderlies based in residents of Nursing home in Urmia

Introduction: Regarding the increase in the elderly population, using nursing theories especially Orem self-care model can be effective in self- esteem improvement. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of implementing Orem self-care model on the self- esteem of the elderly resident in the nursing homes in Urmia.

Materials and Method: In this quasi-experimental study, 50 elderly people who have inclusion criteria were selected through available sampling and were randomly divided into two groups of control (25) and intervention (25). Self- esteem was evaluated via Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire before and one month after implementing the self-care program. Data were analyzed via SPSS software v. 16, using descriptive and inferential statistical testes.

Results: Results showed that in the control group, need level in 48% of the elderly was low, in 44% moderate and in 8% high. In the intervention group this level was reported low in 44%, moderate in 52% and high in4% of the subjects. Chi-square test did not show a significant difference between the two groups regarding level of needs (P=0.76). In the intervention group, the mean score of self-esteem before the intervention was 25.70 which increased to 27.96 after the intervention. The difference between the means scores of self-esteem in the two groups was significant (P=0/015).

Conclusion: Implementing orem's self-care model had a positive influence on improving self- esteem of the elderly people. Therefore, nurses and other eldercare providers are suggested to reinforce self-care spirit in these patients, according to the nursing theories and health care programs, to improve self- esteem in the elderly resident in nursing homes.