Author of the thesis: Slávka Kunášková
Title: Identification of needs of homeless seniors – clients of
a particular social institution
Number of words: 23 539

The thesis is focused on the needs of homeless seniors, clients
of a particular institution. Its aim is to answer the principal
question: „How do or do not the NDC (Low-threshold Day Care
Centre) and other defined services and institutions fulfil the
needs of homeless seniors?”
In the theoretical part I deal with homelessness, its range and
causes, the definition of the term homeless seniors and the
characteristics of these people. The main attention is paid to
life situations of homeless seniors and their specific needs. I
have presented networking as a means to provide homeless
seniors with a complex support and described the problems that
can occur with the net formation. I have also defined
particular social services and other cooperating institutions,
which can contribute to solving life situations of homeless
seniors. To answer the research question I have used the views
and experience of homeless seniors themselves and
representatives of particular social services and institutions.
I have applied the qualitative strategy to get relevant
empirical data as well as the method of documents analysis and
individual interviews – instructive dialogues. I have
interviewed seven homeless seniors - NDC clients and seven
representatives of social services and institutions at the
premises of NDC. The outcomes of the thesis point out that the
social services and institutions generally fulfil the expressed
needs of the homeless seniors. Nevertheless, some needs of
homeless seniors are not successfully fulfilled due to
obstacles and problems caused by both sides - the homeless
seniors as well as the social services and institutions.
Key words: homelessness, homeless senior, life situation,
needs, social services, institutions, low-threshold day care
centre