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IntroductionAccelerate aging is a worldwide problem. In underdeveloped countries, it is occurring without adequate planning and is attributed due to falling mortality and fertility, which contributed to increase life expectancy. However, aging was not accompanied by improvement in living conditions and health assistance. Poor sanitation and diet, low incomes and education levels contributed to increasing the prevalence of chronic diseases in elderly.ObjectivesData obtained in other countries could not represent the national population; objective was to describe a Brazilian frailty elderly sample.AimsDetermine cognitive impairment prevalence in Brazilian frailty elderly.Methods1952 frailty elderly were analyzed. Social data, tobacco and alcohol consumption were verified and mini-mental state examination was applied from February to August in 2010.ResultsFemale elderly was predominant (68.8%). They were almost married (47.5%), followed by widow (37%), single (8.1%), divorced (7.4%). White people were predominant (69.2%); black (14.6%) and brown (16.2%) were presented at the same proportion. 823 frailty elderly (64.9%) studied until 4 years; 7.7% studied between 4–8 years; 1.9% went to college and 25.6% were illiterate. Only 10.6% were smokers and 2.8% drank alcohol. The majority (79.4%) were younger than 80 years-old. Cognitive impairment prevalence were 17.2% in illiterate; 15.2% in elderly who studied until 4 years and lower, 5.3%, in the group who studied between 4–8 years.ConclusionsThe prevalence of cognitive impairment was dependent on years of study and we presented data obtained in a Brazilian sample. These data can be used to compare cognitive impairment in different countries.

IntroductionHealth life expectation could be defined in many ways. The notion of health life can considered, for example, physical, mental or social well-being; disease consequences; functional impairment; successful aging. Functional independence in daily activities is a key aspect on frailty elderly quality of life. This independence is related with elderly social and leisure activities, which improves their physical and mental health and brings sense to their life.ObjectivesData obtained in other countries could not represent the national population; the objective was to describe a Brazilian frailty elderly sample.AimsDetermine functional impairment prevalence in Brazilian frailty elderly.Methods8769 frailty elderly were examined. Social data, tobacco and alcohol consumption were verified and the functional activities questionnaire was applied from May, 2009 to August, 2010.ResultsFemale elderly was predominant (68.1%). They were almost married (47.3%), followed by widow (37.9%), single (9%), divorced (5.9%). White people were predominant (69.9%); black (14.9%) and brown (15.2%) were presented at the same proportion. Only 13.1% were smokers and 4.3% drank alcohol. The majority (78.7%) were younger than 80 years-old. Functional impairment prevalence was 9.5% in the 60–69 years old group; 18.9% in 70–79 years old group; 36.8% in 80–89 years old group and 61.3% in 90–99 years old group.ConclusionsThe prevalence of functional impairment increased with aging and we presented data obtained in a Brazilian sample. These data can be used to compare functional impairment in different countries and to stimulate elderly independence during their aging.