The objective of this case study was to better understand the principle factors which conduct an elderly Brazilian to seek permanence in a Long Term Institution and the manner in which they achieve their adaptation to their environment. The history of life and non-participant techniques were applied in order to collect the data through interviews with nine elderly Brazilians from April to July, 2006. The data analysis employed speech analysis, and indicated that admission into the institution resulted from loneliness, care necessities, family conflicts, and loss of loved ones. Adaptation occurred through the insertion of daily activities, for having lived in similar institutions previously. Adaptation satisfaction in these elders resulted strongly from their individual motivations for entrance. In some cases, adaptation did not occur in the place of an accommodation to an unchangeable reality.
Homes for the aged; Case study; Adaptation; Elderly