Introduction:
The effects of homelessness on homeless people are large. Elderly homeless are in a particularly difficult situation. Being rejected from professional, social and cultural life, homeless seniors may develop depression and cognitive dysfunction.

Aim:
The aim of the study was to assess socio-demographic variables of homeless seniors and to assess the intensity of depression symptoms and the cognitive functions of older people from different life environments.

Material and methods:
Forty people aged 65 and over from the Opolskie Voivodeship were examined. The study group consisted of 20 homeless people. The control group consisted of 20 people living independently. Socio-demographics included age, gender, marital status, education and working status. The 15-point geriatric depression scale (GDS) was used to assess symptoms of depression. The clock drawing test (CDT) in the Sunderland version was used to assess cognitive functions.

Results and discussion:
The homeless seniors and those living independently differed statistically significantly in terms of education (P < 0.001) and working status (P = 0.004). The differences in GDS between the groups were not statistically significant. The differences in CTD between the groups were statistically significant (P = 0.029). Homeless seniors have significantly greater cognitive impairment. The collected results in our own study, using the GDS and CDT scale, do not indicate a diagnosis of depression and cognitive disorders, but may only suggest their occurrence.

Conclusions:
Homeless seniors most often have a low level of education and are unemployed. Seniors experiencing homelessness demonstrate lower cognitive functioning.