OBJECTIVE: This study aims to verify if there is a relation between risk of dementia and the absence of physical or mental stimulation in the elderly. METHODS: Three hundred and three elderly people with the age of 80 years old or over, were assessed by means of the specific questionnaires. They were divided into three groups according to practice of physical or mental activity. They were submitted to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and assessed according to their educational level and the risk of dementia. RESULTS: There was not difference in scores between the genders. When comparing the increased risk of dementia incidence, individuals who did not practice any activity had a 4.27 relative risk when compared to individuals who practiced mental activity, and 2.21 when compared to practitioners of physical activity. The practitioners of physical activity had a 1.93 relative risk in relation to practitioners of mental activity. CONCLUSION: The regular practice of physical and mental activities delays the cognitive decline, reducing the risk of dementia. The mental activity was more effective.
Aged, 80 and over; dementia; motor activity; leisure activity
