The diploma thesis refers to the applicability of ethical theories in solving the dilemmas of social workers in homes for the elderly. The thesis is divided into four parts. In the first part there is defined a residential social service in the form of a home for seniors and characterized the nature of social work in this facility. The second part defines eleven dilemmas social workers encounter in their practice and also the reasons why social workers avoid them. The third part describes the essence of ethical theory in social work practice. It is focused on the description of three selected theories which include deontology, utilitarianism and the ethics of care. The last part concerns the application of these theories to the two ethical dilemmas of social workers: to contact or not to contact client's family, to solve or not to solve client's problems.