Estudio de las prácticas de autocuidado en personas mayores sanas y su relación con la funcionalidad cognitiva y cerebral
- Carmen Requena Hernández Director
Defence university: Universidad de León
Fecha de defensa: 13 December 2024
- Feliciano Villar Posada Chair
- Paula Álvarez Merino Secretary
- Fernando Ferreira Santos Committee member
Type: Thesis
Abstract
In contemporary times, individuals aged 65 and above are now experiencing an extended life expectancy of up to twenty-three years, signifying a substantial achievement in public health and social development. However, this increased longevity also brings new challenges and opportunities for managing the additional years gained during aging. In contrast to the classical paradigm of aging, which perceives old age as a passive and dependent period, today's older adults are adopting a more proactive approach to self-care to maintain functional independence in daily life and actively promote their personal development. The primary objective of this doctoral thesis is to thoroughly examine how self-care practices are related to cognitive and brain performance in older adults. In this objective, three complementary studies have been designed. The first study consisted of a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the current state of self-care practices among older adults, identifying which practices are most effective according to the available scientific evidence. Self-care encompasses a variety of practices that go beyond mere physical care, including essential psychological, emotional, and social aspects to maintain and enhance overall well-being during the aging process. These practices include adopting healthy lifestyles such as regular physical activity, engaging in activities that stimulate the mind like reading and learning new skills, and participating in community activities. Self-care not only promotes functional independence but also positively impacts cognitive and brain function, thereby enhancing autonomy in daily activities and fostering a fulfilling and active life in old age. The second study focused on conducting a field study to investigate in more detail the self-care practices of older adults living independently in the community. This study explored how different types of self-care practices, categorized into survival, maintenance, and personal development, relate to specific aspects of cognitive functioning, such as memory and executive function, which are crucial for the daily life of older adults. The third study used advanced neuroimaging techniques to examine the influence of these self-care practices on the brain activity of healthy older adults. This study provided insights into how different self-care approaches could modulate patterns of brain activity, comparing those adopting personal development practices with those maintaining a more conservative approach to self-care. In conclusion, these studies not only offer a comprehensive view of how self-care practices can influence cognitive and brain health in older adults but also provide critical evidence to inform the design of public policies and health programs aimed at this growing demographic group. A detailed understanding of these relationships is essential to promote effective strategies that support active and healthy aging, thereby enhancing the quality of life for older adults in our contemporary societies.