Abstract

This article seeks to discuss the general health status of the elderly participating in an extension course lasting two years at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul, as well as to compare the results of this study with international studies in order to define actions for aging. To investigate the health status of the elderly, a descriptive quantitative and qualitative study was conducted, at 2014 and 2015, with 47 elderly people as sample. Instruments were used to have the cognitive functions and overall health situation of the elders assessed. The study presents the perspective of successful aging focusing on the following aspects: low probability of disease, good functional capacity (physical and cognitive), and active participation in the community. The studied sample has characteristics that, in some way, corroborate the general health status and the quality of life conditions, such as: the many years of study, the continuous search for activities related to knowledge, the involvement in different physical activities and leisure, socializing with family and friends. A random selection of international studies was also carried out for the purpose of data comparison. The research carried out added to the results of the comparative studies, demonstrated that, the insertion in university programs contributes in the prevention of the cognitive decline and the general state of health, contributing to a self-esteem and maintenance of the mental health, which reflects in an aging with quality of life.

Keywords

Active aging, health, continuing education, population aging