A survey of risk gerontological factors, which were the reason for providing the home health care, was carried on in the sample of one hundred insurants in the period 2002–2003. One risk factor, predominantly poor health condition, was present in 10 % of the sample. 90 % of the sample included individuals of the older and advanced age who accumulated two or more gerontological risk factors. Poor health status, i. e. the medical factor, which was present at all individuals was often combined with the social factors like loneliness, lack of self-sufficiency, lack of children and high age. The presence of risk factors, especially their accumulation, causes not only the deterioration of quality of life but also increases need and consumption of health and social care and also the necessity of placement at a facility of health or social care which is accompanied with higher financial expenses. Early detection and log-term follow-up of individuals with risk gerontological factors or at risk situations may prevent or postpone the development of dependency and necessity of providing the care by another person eventually placing into an in-patient facility. Activities of home health care agencies are undoubtedly the important service for elderly handicapped individuals which often postpone the indication of placement into an in-patient facility, significantly improve the quality of life of elderly people in their own home environment covering the need of the other person care. Therefore, individuals with risk gerontological factors should be in a permanent and active dispensary care of a general practitioner in particular, with the aim of postponing the development of lack of self-sufficiency and dependency with all consequences, with the aim of helping elderly people stay in their home environment as long as possible as declared in the goal No. 5 – “Healthy Aging“ of the programme “Health 21“ of the WHO.

        Key words: elderly people – risk gerontological factors – risk situation in the old age – home health care