A Preliminary Study on Self-Healing and Self-Health Management in Older Adults: Perspectives From Healthcare Professionals and Older Adults in Taiwan
作者：Kuei-Hui Chu, Heng-Hsin Tung, Daniel L Clinciu, Hua-I Hsu, Yi-Chen Wu, Ching-I Hsu, Shu-Wei Lin, Shi-Jun Pan
Abstract
The human body has tremendous self-healing capacity and regeneration after injuries and pathogen invasions. These factors are particularly important in older adults which take longer to heal and recover physically. In addition to clinical investigations, perspectives from both experts in the field and the living experiences of the general public could play significant roles to enhance the body’s healing mechanisms in older adults. A semi-structured interview was conducted which included 15 participants (9 experts and 6 older adults aged 65 years and older). Content analysis with an inductive approach was employed about participants’ experiences and perspectives. All participants in this study revealed that self-healing mechanisms can be enhanced through physiological, psychological, and socio-environmental factors. When more of these factors can be integrated into a recovery management plan, it can hasten self-healing in older adults. Social capability has a profound impact on an individual’s mental health while oral health and hygiene significantly affect the nutritional intake status. In regards to physical aspects, regular daily activity patterns, nutritious eating, moderate exercise, and sleep quality are significant, while psychological aspects such as cheerfulness, positive attitudes, and good interpersonal relationships can help control chronic diseases.
人體在受傷和病原體入侵後具有強大的自我修復能力和再生能力。這些因素對高齡者尤其重要，因為他們的身體癒合和恢復需要比較長的時間。除了臨床研究之外，來自該領域專家的觀點和一般民眾的生活經驗，對增強高齡者的身體自癒機制也具有重要作用。
本研究進行了一項半結構化訪談，共15名參與者（9名專家和6名65歲以上的高齡者）。我們採用歸納法的內容分析法，收集了參與者的經驗和觀點。本研究的所有參與者都表明，生理、心理和社會環境因素可以增強自癒機制。如果能將更多這些因素融入復健管理計畫中，就能加速高齡者的自癒力。社交能力對個人的心理健康有著深遠的影響，而口腔健康和衛生則顯著影響營養攝取狀況。生理方面，規律的日常活動、營養的飲食、適度的運動、優質的睡眠等都很重要；心理方面，開朗、積極的心態、良好的人際關係等都有助於慢性疾病的控制。
To cite this article:
Chu, K.-H., Tung, H.-H., Clinciu, D. L., Hsu, H.-I., Wu, Y.-C., Hsu, C.-I., Lin, S.-W., & Pan, S.-J. (2022). A Preliminary Study on Self-Healing and Self-Health Management in Older Adults: Perspectives From Healthcare Professionals and Older Adults in Taiwan. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 8, 233372142210777. https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214221077788 ( SCI )
