Mobile applications aimed at the elderly for self-management of care: scope review

Introduction: the use of mobile applications can facilitate self-management in health and provide opportunities for the autonomy of the elderly in their self-care. Objective: to map the scientific production on mobile applications for self-management of care aimed at the elderly. Materials and Methods: scope review carried out from September 2020 to January 2021, based on the databases: MEDLINE, SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct , using the search strategy: ("Self-management " OR "Self-care ") AND ( Elderly OR " Old man ") AND ("Mobile Applications " OR Smartphone OR " Cell phone "), with the inclusion of articles that dealt with the use of mobile applications by the elderly for self-management of care, without limitation of time and language. Results: the final sample consisted of 14 articles, categorized into three aspects of management, namely: medications, comorbidities, and healthy practices. In most studies, the applications were directed to self-management of medications, followed by care for chronic conditions and finally self-assessment of the risk of falls and non-pharmacological pain treatments. Discussion: this review contributes to clinical practice and research in nursing, since its results point to what has been published about the development and use of mobile applications by the elderly for self-management of care. Conclusions: the use of mobile applications facilitates self -care in the elderly population, especially in the management of medications for chronic conditions.