Objective.

To assess the ability and perception of self-care among users of the center for the elderly Day / Life, in La Cima neighborhood of Ibague, Colombia

Methodology.

Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study with a sample of 88 adults aged between 60 and 93 years old. The information was collected between October and December 2014, during the practice of the subject Nursing for the Elderly. The survey intended to assess the capacity of self-perception of the elderly, it has 8 categories that assess the ability and self-perception of the elderly; it was processed with the Excel program in four stages: Documentation of information, transcription of responses in statistical tables, category analysis according to evaluation criteria, and Interpretation of the results obtained from its application.

Results.

The elderly showed adequate capacity and perception of self-care in the following categories: physical activity, diet, medication, addiction and toxic habits. No self-care deficit was evidenced because the study showed in these categories the highest rating percentage.

Conclusions.

It was determined that the capacity and self-perception of older adults is partially adequate in the following categories: elimination, rest and sleep, hygiene and comfort and health control because these categories obtained the highest score in the intermediate grade. No improper self-care deficit was evident for any category due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program.

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