Abstract: ObjectiveTo examine the ability of daily living and its determinants among the elderly in Shandong province.MethodsMulti-stage random sampling method was used for collecting data.Based on the data of 5400 people over 60 years old in Shandong province,we used descriptive analysis,χ² test and logistic regression method to analyze the ability of daily living(ADL)and its determinants.ResultsThe proportion of the elderly with complete ability of daily living was 82.6%.The proportion of the elderly with basic,partial,and without ability of daily living was 14.9%,2.0%,and 0.5%, respectively.The results of logistic regression showed that main factors influencing their ability of daily living were marriage status,age,education,income,exercise,chronic diseae,and the timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.ConclusionThe ADL of the contemporary elderly is satisfactory.Marriage,exercise,and the medical care are protective factors and age, chronic disease,low education and low-income are important risk facors of ability of daily living among the elderly.