The Ability to the Adaptability of Seniors in Retirement House

This bachelor's thesis focuses on the ability of the elderly to adapt in a home for the elderly. The goal of this thesis is to map factors that affect the adaptation of the elderly in a home for the elderly. The part of this thesis that focuses on theory describes the life period of being old, ways of preparing one for getting old, the process of getting old and changes that accompany this process. Another topic of the theory-focused part are different forms of care taking of the elderly - this thesis looks into both taking care of the elderly at home as well as into institutionalized care. Furthermore, this thesis describes selected social services that both the elderly and the families taking care of the elderly can take advantage of. The last chapter of the theoretical part concentrates on adaptation, the process of adaptation and adaptation of the elderly in residential facilities, as well as maladaptation. Empirical part of this work brings focus to research and obtaining answers to the main question of this research: What factors affect successful adaptation of the elderly in a home for the elderly? Four subquestions were selected to answer this main research question. Qualitative research strategy was chosen for this research and semi-structured type of interview was used as a form of data collection. Method of clustering was used for data results evaluation. Operationalization of the concepts was constructed from the research subquestions. The research was conducted on a set of six respondents 5 women and one male, all between the ages of 75 and 88, who live in the Home for Elderly in Písek. This set was selected based on intentional selection at that particular institute. The research showed that previous familiarity with the facility and the workers is very important for the adaptation of the elderly. Also, a very important factor is the family of the elderly thanks to their support, the elderly feels much safer and calmer in the new environment. Attempt to adjust to the person's habits, rituals and way of life in general is no less important for the success of the adaptation. This can be achieved, for example, by allowing to furnish one's room using their own favorite furniture and other objects.