Abstract: The study was carried out to determine the quality of life of the elderly living at the rest homes in Ankara, in Turkey. 53.7% of the elderly were women while 46.3% men, with an average age of 72.68. 65.2% of those having an income had a pension. 56.3% of them had a social assurance, whereas 84.6% had health problems. Of the social status of the elderly, the expressions `meeting with the relatives face to face` and `playing games (chess, check etc.)` has meaningful difference depending on the gender (p< 0.01). Over the articles of `reading books, newspaper and magazines` and `listening to music`, a meaningful difference was observed concerning the age (p< 0.01). The difference is mostly between the elderly being illiterate and the ones graduating from primary, secondary and high schools, and university (p< 0.01). There is no significant difference statistically between the total scores of the gender and psychological status of the elderly (p>0.05). A meaningful difference was found between the expression of `being able to stay alone whenever desired` and the number of the people living together in the room of the rest home (p< 0.01). Social activities at rest homes should be increased, more time should be spent with the elderly not to leave them alone and they should be trained to increase their quality of life.