Introduction:

During old age, the purpose of older adults is based on achieving a state of well-being; therefore, it is important to understand the factors that benefit or affect the achievement of this goal.

Objective:

To deconstruct the meaning of self-care in the elderly.

Methodology:

Qualitative research with a sociocritic, humanistic interpretive approach; in the data collection an open interview structured to a focal group was conducted, subjects were chosen at convenience by the snowball technique.

Results:

The meaning of self-care is originated by: Situational influences whether internal or external are linked to their health-disease process, the fact of the knowledge they possess about their care; this process of cognition has modified the conception of self-care and health that they possess, being these positive emotions that helps them and creates a consciousness of care. The environment plays a very important role in the construction of this meaning, they show that the links between neighbors are important, even comparing them with their family.

Conclusions:

Self-care in the elderly is lived in the context of the environment around them: Family, friends, neighbors, community, and is perceived as the ability to do things that originate satisfaction in their daily living.

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