Background: The population aging in Brazil is characterized by the accumulation of progressive disabilities in their functional activities and daily life. To consider the elderlies in his/her multiple dimensions turns out to be a critical issue to improve their assistance to an institutionalized level, improving their health and quality of life. To perform a mini-overall evaluation of institutionalized elderly person to trace their profile in relation to the socio-demographic, functional capacity, nutritional status and cognition. Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional study of quantitative approach conducted in facilities for the aged people in Natal, RN. Results: 63.3% of the elderly were female, with ages varying from 61 to 103 years. 60.0% were single; 56.7% were literate. 66.7% had no children and 55% lived with their families before the institutionalization. As for the institutionalization time, 63.3% resided in the institution for four years. As what concerns the aspects of health, 73.3 of the elderly presented hearing difficulties, 90% make use of medicines predominantly to diabetes and hypertension. There is clear evidence that the institutionalization has been harmful to the elderly as with regards basic activities of daily living, nutritional status and cognitive aspects. Conclusion: the progressive disability in functional activities of daily life interferes directly in the quality of life, increasing dependency and minimizing the autonomy of these individuals. It is necessary to effective implementation of public policies directed to the institutionalized elderly from the perspective of effective actions for improved attention and assistance. Descriptors: Aged, Institutionalization, Aging, Facilities for the Aged.