The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between subjective experience of loneliness and quality of life among older people and to check whether there are differences in the experience of loneliness of older people with regard to the form of family structure in which they live. The study included 119 persons aged above 65 years, divided into 4 groups. The first group consisted of elderly people who live alone, the second group included elderly people who live without a spouse but with other family members, the third group consisted of elderly people who live only with a spouse, and the fourth of those who live with a spouse and other family members in the same household. Three questionnaires were used: Structured Personal Data Questionnaire, Personal Wellbeing Indeks (PWI) and Short Form of UCLA Loneliness Scale. The results indicate the existence of significant negative correlation between loneliness and quality of life of older people. Furthermore, when loneliness of elderly people divided by their family structure was compared, it was defined that elderly who live alone are significantly lonelier than those living only with a spouse and those living with a spouse and other family members in the same household. Significant differences in loneliness among elderly people living alone and those living without a spouse but with other family members has not been confirmed. Also, the results do not indicate any significant gender differences in loneliness and quality of life of older people.

aging, quality of life, loneliness