“…Considering, however, that data referring to cognitive evaluation had been used in a previous study, which selected its subjects through a sampling procedure, the present study took as its population the total number of elderly persons evaluated in 2007 and who had obtained a MEMS result below the cut-off point according to level of schooling (15) varying from 20 to 100 points, with a higher score indicating a higher level of social support) (16) ; the Katz Index, for assessing performance in basic activities of daily living, which involve activities related to self-care such as feeding oneself, washing, dressing, carrying out personal hygiene and maintaining continence (3) ; the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire for assessment of performance of instrumental activities of daily living, which include ability to prepare meals, go shopping, use transport, take care of the house, use the telephone, take care of one's finances, take one's medication and remember arrangements, events, family members and holidays (4) . as studies indicate that social support perceived by the elderly is as important as that which is actually received (17) .…”