Quality of the life of elderly after the death of their life partner

A Bachelor thesis addresses the quality of the life of the retiree after the death of their life partner. The thesis is divided into 2 parts a theoretical part and an empirical part. The theoretical part deals with terms which are related to the topic of the bachelor thesis. The first chapter describes an old age as a stage of life, changes which are connected with the old age and special needs of the old people. The second chapter is focused on the quality of the life, its evaluation and dimensions. The third chapter is focused on the death of the life partner and aspects of the loss. A process of a grieve and determinants of a grieve are described in the fourth chapter. The last chapter is focused on a support and help for survivors and it also describes informal and formal methods of help. The goal of the project was to find out the problems of the retiree after the death of their life partner and how to help them. The goal of the thesis is to answer given research questions. The first research question is focused on an existence of a gender difference between areas of the life which are affected by the loss of the life partner. The second research question explores if the retiree can come to terms with the loss if given proper and individual support. In the empirical part of the bachelor thesis is used a method of qualitative research in the form of a narrative conversation. The research complex is made up of 6 communication partners whose life partner died. The results are analyzed with the help of an open coding. The research shows that there is no significant difference in the spheres of life affected by the loss of the life partner between men and women. First of all, both, men and women struggle with worsening health conditions. Common problem is also a limited contact with their social environment. As for the methods of support that help the retiree to come to terms, it is informal help from their family and also formal help related to their worsening health - medical help