Abstract
BACKGROUND: Homes for the elderly and care facilities are not only a place of treatment, but also a place of permanent residence for older people. It is assumed that older adults' quality of life in the centres may not be sufficient for their long well-being. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of quality of life among nursing home residents in Poland and Germany and the impact of disability on functioning in their major life domains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was carried out using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (abridged version) on 1000 people-500 residents of the centre in Poland and 500 residents in Germany. RESULTS: The quality of life of Polish and German residents is at an average level and is closely related to their degree of independence. People with greater independence assessed their quality of life higher. CONCLUSION: The degree of disability affects one's own health and the quality of life of the residents. Therefore, to improve older adults' quality of life, certain steps should be taken, including supporting them in maintaining their health and independence on a daily basis.