This review paper analyzes the adaptation of elderly individuals to life in nursing homes, with a special focus on sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, education, financial status, and health condition. Population aging, alongside the growing share of elderly individuals, presents a significant challenge for social and healthcare systems, further emphasizing the need for both institutional and non-institutional care. Institutional accommodation, while often necessary, can lead to stress and feelings of loss of independence in elderly individuals, whereas non-institutional forms of care offer greater flexibility and a sense of security.The paper shows that women generally adapt more successfully to new environments, while men face greater difficulties in this process. Better-educated individuals and those with higher financial stability are more likely to accept changes, while health condition plays a key role in the quality of adaptation. The importance of emotional and social support, particularly through the role of formal caregivers, is emphasized as a critical factor for a successful transition of elderly individuals to institutional care. An individualized approach is proposed that takes into account the specific needs of each individual, thereby facilitating adaptation and improving the quality of life of the elderly in nursing homes.