Reflections on elderly autonomy and its meaning for the practice of nursing care

Reflexiones sobre autonomía de ancianos y su significado para la práctica del cuidado de enfermería

ABSTRACT

Objective:  To reflect on autonomy in health care, its perspective on the lives of the elderly, and its meaning for the practice of nursing care.

Methods:  Theoretical essay on the practice of nursing care to promote autonomy and self-care for the elderly.

Results:  It is necessary to qualify the practice of nursing care to consider the aging process and maintain the autonomy of the elderly. Three parts emerged: “The autonomy of the elderly and the care plan”, “Nursing in the self-care process”, and “Challenges to the practice of caring for the elderly in nursing”.

Final considerations:  There is still a deficiency in promoting autonomy for the elderly due to the need for a review of the practice of nursing care, which, considering aging in Brazil, needs to undertake new actions in order to encourage self-care and autonomy in this population.

Descriptors: Nursing; Personal Autonomy; Elderly; Nursing Care; Self-Care