Abstract
Objective: To describe the adherence to self-care in elderly people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Integrative review study, with qualitative approach. The bibliographic research was carried out in scientifically valid databases through the Virtual Health Library (VHL), selecting articles through the Health Descriptors (DeCS): Diabetes Mellitus; Elderly; Self-care, published between 2015 and 2020, considering the eligibility and ineligibility criteria. Results: 527 articles were found in Scielo, 99 in Medline and 3,248 in Lilacs, totaling 3,874 findings, of these 20 articles met the criteria listed for results. The literature shows richness as to the studies focused on self-care, but there is repetition of the subjects listed in the studies, not having a factor that leads conclusively to the improvement of such problem. Final considerations: To analyze the understanding of the elderly through the literature, and of what has been done for a more effective health promotion was essential to be able to recognize the contributions of this strategy to the improvement of self-care in elderly with diabetes.