Abstract

BECKERT, Michele; IRIGARAY, Tatiana Quarti  and  TRENTINI, Clarissa Marceli. Quality of life, cognition and performance of executive functions in the elderly. Estud. psicol. (Campinas) [online]. 2012, vol.29, n.2, pp. 155-162. ISSN 0103-166X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-166X2012000200001.

The relationship between quality of life and cognitive function in the elderly has been neglected by research. The aim of this study was to examine the association between quality of life, cognition and the performance of executive functions in elderly people. Eighty eight elderly people participated in the study and the convenience sampling method was used. All the participants answered questions on socio-demographic conditions, quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Group-Bref), cognitive function (MiniMental State Examination and Brief Neuropsychological Assessment Instrument) and executive functions (Wisconsin Card Sort Test). The data retrieved showed an important association between the physical and environmental domains of quality of life and cognitive variables. This is turn suggests the importance of cognition in the maintenance of physical care, as well as in the chances of acquiring new information and skills in the surrounding environment.

Keywords : Cognition; Aging; Cognitive ability; Elderly; Quality of life.