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.