Introduction. Care self-reliance, i.e. a functional ability, should be equalled with independence from other people in satisfying one’s basic existential needs. Such needs include: mobility, nutrition, controlling physiological functions and maintaining personal hygiene.

Aim. The work aimed at assessing the level of skill in the area of physical functioning of elderly people housed in long-term care units.

Material and method. The research involved 63 persons housed in long-term care units of the Lubelskie Voivodship. The researched patients’ age ranged from 65 to 93. Women comprised 61.90% and men 38.10% of all the studied persons. Barthel’s scale was used to evaluate the patients’ condition.

Results. The research proved that the great majority of elderly people from the researched group had a low level of independence with respect to everyday life activities. The great majority of the studied patients were included in the category of intensified or total care.

Słowa kluczowe: osoby starsze, skala Barthel, samodzielność, elderly people, Barthel’s scale, independence