Objective: to evaluate the functional capacity and profile of elderly individuals with stomas. Methods: exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out in a teaching outpatient clinic, with elderly individuals with stomas. Data were collected through interviews and application of the Katz, Lawton & Brody scales, mini mental examination and family APGAR and analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 23.0, using descriptive and inferential analyses, with the use of appropriate statistical tests to evaluate the associations between the variables. Results: the participans were 139 elderly individuals. There was an association between ostomized women and hypertension, incontinence and immunosuppression, in addition to more difficulties in managing the stoma bag and insecurity regarding leaks and detachment. Half of the elderly individuals showed impaired cognition and partial dependence. However, the majority showed independence in basic activities and absence of signs of depression. Conclusion: nursing actions, public policies and assistive technologies for the care of elderly individuals with ostomies need to be improved.