Relationship between cognitive and sociodemographic aspects and verbal fluency of active elderly

ABSTRACT Purpose: to relate the cognitive aspects with sociodemographic data and the verbal fluency of the active elderly in a municipality in the south of Brazil. Methods: an epidemiological study conducted with 386 elderly people participating in community groups of the municipality. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: most participants were women. The sample was characterized by people, predominantly with low schooling and income up to three minimum wages. It was possible to observe that the lower the years of schooling, the lower the monthly income, while the higher the age group, the worse the MMSE. Data of the present study showed significant relationships between the MMSE and the VFT. Conclusion: the cognitive aspects analyzed through the MMSE were influenced by sociodemographic variables and the VFT. These aspects may contribute to the knowledge and monitoring of the cognitive aspects of those who participate in community groups.