Getting old is a process of transformation of the body that occurs along the vital cycle in a universal and progressive way causing functional restrictions in the human being. The aim of this work was to identify, analyze and quantify the limitations of the functional capacity of the institutionalized elderly who are not provided with physiotherapic assistance.

A descriptive, qualitative, quantitative and transverse field research was made, based on an evaluation of the activities of daily living (ADL) using the Katz Index, with 62 institutionalized elderly people from Casa do Pobre de Maceió, Alagoas, both genders, average age of 77.03 years old and different levels of functions. Activities related to the self care were emphasized. At first, people were classified as independent, partially dependent and totally dependent. According to the Katz Index score, they were classified regarding their functional dependency, which varies from level 0 (a totally independent person) to level 6 (a totally dependent person in the six evaluated functions).

Inclusion Criteria:

• To be elderly and a resident of Casa do Pobre de Maceió

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals under the age of 60 years and over 90, or received private care or physical therapy who refused to participate in the evaluation

Community sample, eder people.