Abstract
Increased life expectancy has led to a significant number of elderly enrolling on Youth and Adult Education programs (YAE). These individuals leave inactivity and negative aspects of aging in search of opportunities for social inclusion.ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of sociodemographic factors and depressive and cognitive symptoms on quality of life (QL) of elderly attending the YAE of São Carlos city in São Paulo state.MethodsA descriptive and quantitative study approved by the Research Ethics Committee of São Carlos Federal University was conducted. The sample comprised all elderly undertaking the YAE literacy program in 2012. The instruments used were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), WHOQOL-bref and WHOQOL-old, and a sociodemographic instrument.ResultsWe interviewed 23 elderly, predominantly females (91.3%) in the early stages of old age (69.6%). The number of years of YAE study showed no correlation with cognition scores obtained on the MMSE or with QL domains. However, scores on the GDS had a moderate inverse relationship with total scores for the Physical (p<0.01), Sensory Functioning (p<0.05), Independence (p<0.01), Past, Present and Future Activities (p<0.05), Social Participation (p<0.01), and Intimacy (p<0.05) QV domains, and a strong inversely proportional relationship with the Social Relationships QV domain (p<0.01). Scores attained on the MMSE showed a moderate and direct relationship with total scores on the Independence QL domain (p=0.001).ConclusionElderly on literacy programs have average quality of life scores. Several QL domains are influenced by depression and cognitive symptoms.
Highlights
Literacy programs for adults help to combat prejudice against illiteracy and the elderly
According to the Census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2011 in São Paulo State, there were a total of 14,213 participants on classes of the Youth and Adult Education (YAE) system aged 60 years or older, with approximately 70.7% of this number taking classes from 1st to 4th grade.[1]
The authors emphasize that a 10% reduction in the prevalence of low education level can potentially reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by more than 500,000 cases worldwide while a 25% reduction could reduce the number of cases by 1.4 million globally.[3]
Summary
Literacy programs for adults help to combat prejudice against illiteracy and the elderly. These programs have a significant number of participants aged 60 years or over. According to the Census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2011 in São Paulo State, there were a total of 14,213 participants on classes of the Youth and Adult Education (YAE) system aged 60 years or older, with approximately 70.7% of this number taking classes from 1st to 4th grade.[1]. The authors emphasize that a 10% reduction in the prevalence of low education level can potentially reduce the prevalence of AD by more than 500,000 cases worldwide while a 25% reduction could reduce the number of cases by 1.4 million globally.[3]
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