This study was conducted to evaluate the health status including mainly cognitive function and activities of daily living of institutional elderly in a rural area. We studied 466 subjects dwelling in ten institutions at Chonnam province, Korea. The participants consist of 148 males(31.8%) and 318 females(68.2%). We collected the information of socioeconomic state, mini-mental state examination(MMSE), activities of daily living(ADL), instrumental activities of daily living(IADL), and Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project(COOP) chart. The results were followed: 1. Severe cognitive function impairment was appeared in 45 males(30.4%) and 115 females(36.2%). 2. The percentage of fully independent in the six ADL items was 50.0% of males and 42.8% of females, but 31.1% of males and 26.1% of females were fully dependent. 3. Males had more impairment in mode of transportation among IADL, but females had most impairment in laundry. 4. Observing health status by COOP chart, both had more grade in feeling and social activity than physical fitness.