Graduation thesis deals with the opinions and beliefs of older people living in a home environment about homes for older people. In the theoretical part I presented the development of institutional care for the older people in Slovenia, social work with older people, social work in homes for older people, and I also described prejudices against older people and prejudices against homes for older people. Purpose of this research was to find out what older people who still live in the home environment think about homes for older people and what influenced the formation of such an opinion. I was also interested in the experiences of older people with homes for older people, the reasons why older people decide to go to home for older people, and any expectations and desires for living in a home for older people. I also stressed the importance of social work in the first contact of older people with home for older people. Research involved fourteen older people who differed in gender, age, living environment, income and who they live with. I collected the data through interviews and analyzed them in a qualitative way. The results showed that older people know homes well. Both positive and negative opinions about homes for older people are present among the participants, with a negative opinion being expressed several times. Based on the research, I found that the formation of an opinion about homes is influenced mainly by the experience of others, but also by one’s own experience with visits to homes and the media. Participants mentioned negative and positive experiences with homes. They said that loneliness, inability to take care for yourself, and lack of other choices are reasons for going to home for older people. Most participants would have negative feelings when going to home for older people. The most commonly expressed desire in connection with living in a home was the desire for adequate care. I suggest informing more people about homes for older people and other forms of help. I also suggest to involve the media in order to show the good sides of homes for older people and a more appropriate organization of work in homes for older people.
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