Aim. The aim of this thesis was the attempt to evaluate the family influence on health promoting behaviour of elderly persons at the age of 65 and over. This analysis was to determine the validity of the principal meaning of a family and its role in shaping the health promoting behaviour of senior population as well as estimating family involvement into the process of creating the awareness of seniors in the range of health. The impact of the family in the context of behaviors associated with physical and psychosocial health were analysed. Among the investigated indicators much attention was drawn to the physical activity of older people, their rational nutrition and sleeping parameters. Moreover, the extent of support and involvement of the family on individual socio-economic levels were surveyed. Healthy lifestyle of the elderly is also the starting point in the direction of assessing the impact of relatives on preventive measures and certain behaviors classified as risky ones. Material and methods. The examination involved the population of 30 seniors at the age of 65 and over. Also, a special survey questionnaire was prepared for this examination. Results. The collected data was sufficient to confirm that the family got involved in the process of the elderly people treatment (mental support was provided to 53% of the examined, logistical one – to 47% and financial – to 10%). Besides, in most cases (73%) family regularly advised on health issues. Up to 80% of respondents assured that they were supported by their families in case of motor activities. 57% of respondents confirmed that the family helped them cope with stress. Most family members encouraged their relatives to have regular prophylactic examinations done. On the other hand, the surveyed that the family did not react in a satisfactory way to harmful behaviour, in 73% they did not notice any problems connected with sleeping disorders and only in 30% the family tried to influence the change of bad eating habits of respondents. Conclusions. The family plays an incredibly important role in shaping health promoting behaviours. Family members should participate in a more daring way in the process of shaping the health awareness of senior persons and take more frequent attempts to minimize any behaviour of the risky type, change inappropriate eating habits as well as persuading them in a greater extent to use modern possibilities of prophylactic activities.

Key words: family, health promoting behaviour, elderly persons, geriatrics.