1. Studies have shown that self-perceived health is significantly related to quality of life for older persons. 2. Terminology regarding quality of life and perceived health was found to be inconsistent in the gerontological nursing research reviewed. 3. Outcomes of the research related to quality of life and perceived health fell into three basic categories: predictors found, relationships found, and no relationships found. 4. More experimental research, more replication of research, more research on older males, more use of nursing theory as a framework for research, and more multidisciplinary gerontological research may contribute useful knowledge to the nursing discipline.