Journal of Nursing, Social Studies, Public Health and Rehabilitation X:X | DOI: 10.32725/jnss.2026.007

Use of social services among older adults aged 65 and older in the South Bohemian Region: a quantitative cross-sectional study

Barbova Tylichová ORCID..., Iva Brabcová ORCID...*, Věra Hellerová ORCID..., Sylva Bártlová ORCID..., Helena Michálková ORCID..., Marek Zeman ORCID..., Adam Dočekal
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Introduction: Population ageing increases pressure on health and social care systems. Mapping social support utilisation and related factors is essential for effective regional service planning.

Objective: To examine the use of social services and benefits among people aged 65+ in the South Bohemian Region, including perceived accessibility and social counselling utilisation.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 403 older adults (65+) selected by quota sampling (sex, age, region) without cognitive impairment (MMSE). The analysis focused on community-dwelling participants (n = 354). Data were collected via structured interviews in April 2024.

Results: Utilisation was low: 75.1% received no benefits (most commonly the care allowance, 10.2%), and 73.7% reported no use of social services in the previous year. The most frequently used services were meal delivery (22.0%), home nursing care (13.0%), and home care assistance (12.1%). Use was associated mainly with age, marital status, housing situation, and education; older, widowed, and those living alone used services more often.

Conclusion: Despite service availability, most older adults in the South Bohemian Region do not use social services or counselling. Awareness and targeted outreach should be strengthened for the oldest and socially isolated individuals, particularly through general practitioners, home-care agencies, and municipal social service departments.

Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Older adults; Social benefits; Social counselling; Social services
Grants and funding:

Project reg. no. TQ01000591 is co-financed with state support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the SIGMA Programme.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: March 3, 2026; Revised: March 30, 2026; Accepted: April 16, 2026; Prepublished online: April 17, 2026 

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