Abstract:

paAccording to previous research findings, objective life conditions such as physical  health, socioeconomic status,  financial  situation, the physical environment, and social involvement cannot fully explain the well-being of older  persons.  Instead, personality characteristics and  developmental influences appear to have a stronger impact. In an ageing society, the well-being of  the elderly is at the top of the public policy agenda. Demographic change  and  population ageing  is one of the greatest  challenges  that will affect the structure of the EU economy over  the next couple of decades, through its impacts on labour markets, pensions systems and public finances. The aim of this paper is to analyse factors influencing life satisfaction of elderly. The research sample consists of  521  respondents of three generations: 18 – 25; 26 – 64; 65 plus.The method of unfinished sentence was applied, the answers were categorized and compared. The results of the current study proved that even though, the financial and material security as  well  as  health  status  play  an  important  role, it is the family and positive relations which are the most important factors influencing life satisfaction in the age group 65 plus.per