The effect of a salutogenic model-based healthy aging program on quality of life, healthy aging, and sense of coherence

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational program based on the salutogenic model on quality of life, healthy aging level, and sense of coherence in older adults individuals aged 60–70 years with chronic diseases residing in nursing homes. The study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design and included 72 older adults individuals diagnosed with hypertension (HT) or diabetes mellitus (DM) living in two nursing homes in Ankara (36 intervention, 36 control). Data were collected between January 31 and April 18, 2025, using the Individual Sense of Coherence Scale, Healthy Aging Scale, and Quality of Life Scale. The intervention group participated in an 8-week educational program, while no intervention was applied to the control group. Data were analyzed using independent and paired sample t-tests via SPSS 25.0, and the effect of the intervention was assessed through regression analysis. In the intervention group, the mean pretest sense of coherence score increased from 60.66±9.52 to 64.78±8.70 in the posttest (p < 0.001). Similarly, healthy aging scores significantly improved from 115.50±15.93 to 122.91±14.12. The quality of life score also increased from 22.44±10.50 to 24.69±9.54 after the intervention (p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in the control group (p > 0.05). Posttest comparisons between the groups revealed statistically significant differences in favor of the intervention group across all measures. The educational program developed based on the salutogenic model enhanced the quality of life, healthy aging, and sense of coherence among older adults. Keywords: Sense of coherence, nursing, healthy aging, quality of life, older adults, chronic disease, salutogenic model