Evaluation of the Use of Selected Residential Social Services for the Elderly: The Position of the Moravian-Silesian Region with regard to the other Regions of the Czech Republic

The growing demand for social services is closely related to the issue of demographic aging of the population, not only in the residential, ambulatory but also in field areas. Not only the Czech Republic, but also other European countries are facing a growing demand for placement in residential social facilities. According to valid Czech legislation, residential social services are part of social care services and serve to ensure dignified treatment and self-sufficiency of persons in the least restrictive environment. The scope and availability of residential social services is not the same in al the regions of the Czech Republic, which is reflected in the total number of users of these services. The aim of the paper is to define, describe and evaluate the intensity of the use of selected residential social services for seniors in the regions of the Czech Republic, also with regard to defining the position of the Moravian-Silesian region among the other regions. The analysis is performed for the defined reference period 2011-2019. Among the selected residential social services, homes for the elderly and homes with a special regime were chosen, the target group of which consists of persons aged 65+. Since 2011, the analysis has shown a growing number of users of the homes with special regime service across all regions of the Czech Republic and, conversely, a slightly declining number of users of the homes for the elderly service. The findings confirm the growing need for residential social services for people diagnosed with dementia. Selected residential social services were used mainly by women rather than men.