Objective:

To determine the relationship between demographic variables and self-care practices of the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Method:

quantitative, descriptive, correlational study carried out in the offices of Tomas La Fora Guadalupe Hospital (La Libertad, Peru), with 100 adults older than 60 years and older, who met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily accepted to participate in the study. The demographic variables were measured and the survey of self-care practices of the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus was used. Once the information was collected, a bivariate analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between the demographic variables and the level of self-care practices; using the chi square test as a statistical tool.

Results:

The highest percentage of the population was between 66-70 years of age (37 %), women 55 %, the highest level of education was primary with 71 %, the longest time of illness was 5 years and more and 55 % had a good level of self-care. There is a significant relationship between the level of instruction (X2 = 29.118 Value p = 0.000) and time of illness (X2 = 21.596 Value p = 0.000) with the level of self-care practices and there is no significance between age and sex.

Conclusions:

Older adults presented a good practice of self-care, but not enough to guarantee good management of their disease. Therefore, for nursing it becomes a challenge to strengthen the capacities to empower them and be agents of their own care considering above all the degree of instruction and sick time.

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