Introduction. Antonovsky, the author of the concept of the sense of coherence, proved the existence of generalized immune resources that mobilize a person to understand the struggle with adversities in life. A turning point and a difficult moment is the diagnosis of chronic disease. Often a chronic disease overlaps with the physiological ageing process of the body, triggering other types of fears, concerns and experiences. A strong sense of coherence and choosing the right style of coping with the disease allows patients to achieve optimal health. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the level of the sense of coherence and psychosocial determinants and the level of acceptance and the type of preferred styles of coping with chronic disease in elderly patients covered by long-term care. Material and methods. One hundred thirty-eight patients staying at the Nursing and Care Center were examined. The sense of coherence was tested using the SOC 29 life orientation questionnaire, and coping with stressful situations was tested by Endler and Parker's CISS. The research model showed the main independent variables (SOC-29, GSES, AMTS, MMSE, GDS, Cantril's Ladder, own questionnaire, family situation), independent secondary variables (gender, age, education, level of independence) and dependent variables (CISS, AIS ). Results. The chronically ill did not differ significantly in the level of the sense of coherence. Meaningfulness and resourcefulness slightly differentiated the study group. The subjects focused on making efforts to solve the problem through cognitive transformations or attempts to change the situation. People with a higher level of global SOC more often used the task-focused style by undertaking remedial actions aimed at adapting to the changes imposed by the disease. The higher level of the sense of coherence (comprehensibility, resourcefulness and meaningfulness) resulted in a higher level of acceptance of the disease. Conclusions. The obtained results may have a significant impact on determining the methods and means of helping in a situation when a person cannot cope with the disease on his own, is not able to take care of himself partially or completely and is dependent on the help of others. The findings may also determine the range of activities aimed at the prevention of ageing, adaptation to old age and being developed and a program psychoeducational as an exponent in the prediction of patient care at different stages of chronic disease.

Key words: the sense of coherence (SOC), coping styles, chronic disease, old age period, long-term care.