This study examined the effect of chronic illness on the individual's ability to meet his or her need for solitude and for social interaction by exploring how chronically ill individuals used their own ability (self-care agency) to meet these needs. Subjects were 90 chronically ill older persons, 30 of whom were living at home, 30 who lived in a nursing home, and 30 who were hospitalized. Subjects had a primary medical diagnosis of either congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All subjects completed the Perception of Solitude and Social Interaction instrument, the Perception of Self-Care Agency, and a demographic data sheet. Although several authors have suggested that self-care agency declines with age, the responses of these three groups did not support this postulate in relation to meeting the need for solitude and social interaction. None of the subjects indicated that they were unable to meet this need. It had been hypothesized that there would be differences in the ways self-care agency was used to meet this need among the three groups. Data analysis, however, did not support this hypothesis. Responses did not identify individuals who were isolated or lonely. Subjects did not feel that their chronic illness interfered with their ability to meet the need for solitude and social interaction. (NB)