NIVEL DE AUTOCUIDADO EN ADULTOS MAYORES DE CENTROS GERONTOLÓGICOS RESIDENCIALES, CUENCA 2025 – 2026

Abstract

The aging of Ecuador's population is experiencing a significant demographic shift that has transformed the population pyramid. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, in 2024 there were more than one million people over 65 years of age, representing approximately 9% of the total population. This figure is estimated to double by 2050. This situation poses significant challenges for health and geriatric care systems. However, only 3% of care facilities are day and residential gerontological centers, which limits the comprehensive assessment of self-care levels in this population. The objective of this research was to assess self-care among older adults in Residential Gerontological Centers in Cuenca from 2025 to 2026 using a quantitative, descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional methodology. The Self-Care Capacity Assessment Scale (ASA) was used to collect data. The information was processed using IBM SPSS version 28, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including cross- tabulations and chi-square and p-value tests. Two hundred and seven older adults participated. The most prevalent characteristics were: age 75-90 years (61.4%), female (60.9%), single (57%), primary education level (47.3%), no children (65.7%), vulnerability as the reason for admission (42%), and a length of stay of more than two years (67.1%). A low level of self-care was identified (72.5%), and a statistically significant association was found between the level of education (p=0.006) and the reason for admission (p=0.045) and the level of self-care.