This study was conducted to examine how old and very old people cope with the difficult situations in their lives. The main goals of the study were to develop a measure for the identification of coping patterns in the old and very old, identify coping patterns, and investigate those patterns with respect to age and subjective well-being. Development of a 13-item Coping Patterns Schedule was based on previous categorization of coping statements in interviews with very old respondents (Kruse, 1990) and inspection of the gerontological coping literature. In a pilot study involving 112 subjects, the validity of the measure was established. As part of the Berlin Aging Study, the Coping Patterns Schedule and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale were administered to assess coping patterns and subjective well-being in a representative sample (N=150) of men and women between 70 and 105 years of age. Analyses revealed that, overall, old and very old subjects reported instrumental and problem-focused rather than escapist and regressive coping strategies. Four coping patterns were identified: regressive, passive, self-reliant and stubborn, and rich resources. Coping patterns showed only weak relationships with age. Level of well-being differed significantly between coping patterns. "Regressive" copers reported a significantly lower level of well-being than did copers with "self-reliant/stubborn" and "rich resources" patterns. (Author/NB)