[Disturbances in psychosocial adaptation in old age]

The transition to old age is one of the critical phases of life. The adaptation of old people in mass institutions, especially in hospitals and old people's homes, is becoming problematical. We attempted an evaluation of each element of adaptation of old people housed in old people's homes by means of the GBS scale over a period of the first six months after admission. In the first month the orientation and memory deteriorated considerably. Fear and anxiety grew, depression became worse. In the period between the third and sixth month, the condition became relatively stable but the deterioration in the personality is significant. A sort of adaptation to a lower level took place. The research confirms that it is desirable to finish development of the system of care of old people in untraditional ways which would make possible keeping the old people in homelike conditions as long as possible.