PROMOTING AUTONOMY IN GERONTOLOGICAL CARE: A SYNTHESIS OF THE EVIDENCE IN NURSING

Abstract

This article aimed to understand how educational, care-related, cognitive, and rehabilitation interventions delivered by nursing professionals contribute to older adults’ autonomy, independence, self-care, and functional capacity. An integrative literature review was conducted, with searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, and Embase covering publications from 2021 to 2026. Twenty-five studies were included, encompassing qualitative, observational, interventional, review, and theoretical approaches. The findings indicated contributions from health education, self-care support, rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation, effective communication, and person-centered care. The contributions of a designated nurse to continuity of care and transitions between hospital, primary care, and home settings were also highlighted. Excessive workloads, insufficient training, ageism, rigid institutional policies, and restrictive practices were identified as barriers. Promoting autonomy requires skilled follow-up, individualized planning, and shared decision-making that respect older adults’ needs, preferences, and abilities. The methodological diversity of the studies calls for caution when interpreting the findings and applying them to other care settings.