 Incorporating meaningful activity and social connections into the lives of elders that have been circumscribed by illness and disability is particularly important to QOL. Gerontological literature concerning the activities of elders has concentrated upon personal care and instrumental activities and how they contribute to health and functional status. These obligatory tasks are essential to ones survival, but perhaps even more significant to an elders well-being are those discretionary activities involving social and meaningful occupations; such findings support the proposition that activity and social support systems are important in mediating the impact of illness on well-being. 