Objective:
to identify the changes in the quality of life, cognition and depression from gerontological education workshops mediated by a pole radio in long-term institutions for the aged.
Methodology:
Observational qualitative and quantitative study, including descriptive and association variables. After a pilot study with an elderly group we selected four institutions for convenience and the elderly whose characteristics met the inclusion criteria. We applied questionnaires related to quality of life, depression, cognitive status, socio-demographic characteristics and technological reality. To analyze the effects of pre-and post-intervention process, descriptive and analytical statistics were performed, making the nonparametric Mann-Whitney, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Fisher exact, Cronbach's alpha, linear Spearman correlation, all of them with level significance of p≤0.05. We developed radio scripts for the workshops, held eight meetings in each institution, twice a week, two hours each, for six months.
Results:
There were increases in the life quality and cognition, in a statistically significant way in the domains classified as recreation, intimacy, and in the immediate memory.
Conclusion:
The significant gains in quality of life and cognition achieved suggest that this practice can be valid to improve the conditions of the health of elderly in long-term institutions for the aged.
Health of Institutionalized Elderly; Communications Media; Interpersonal Relations; Quality of life; Cognition; Depression