According to reports from VIPživot.cz and iDNES, legendary postwar Czech singer Yvetta Simonová relocated to the Domov pro seniory Háje in Prague in July 2024 after struggling with medication management, personal hygiene safety, and physical balance at home. The artist, who earned an entry in the Česká kniha rekordů in 2023 for a career spanning over eight decades, faced mounting daily challenges that her son and Prague’s Divadlo U Hasičů director Tomáš Spurný could not continuously oversee due to his own health and work demands.
The Breaking Point: Safety Risks at Home
Simonová never discussed specific medical diagnoses, but she explicitly detailed three primary physical hurdles that forced her to abandon independent living, as reported by VIPživot.cz. The artist forgot when to take her prescribed medications, creating a serious safety risk for someone over the age of 95. She also grew deeply afraid of showering alone due to slippery bathtubs and unstable legs, while chronic balance issues made walking treacherous and rising from bed difficult on bad days. Compounding these daily dangers, her son Tomáš Spurný was recovering from two major surgeries and managing a demanding theater career, making around-the-clock supervision impossible.
Six Weeks, Flight, and Return
The transition began in early July 2024 when Simonová entered the Prague facility on a trial basis to test her psychological endurance, knowing her physical independence was gone. After six weeks, she fled back to her Hadovka apartment and piano, only to discover within hours that she could no longer manage basic daily routines on her own. She immediately called the facility to request readmission. Reflecting on her 96th birthday in November 2024, Simonová told iDNES, “Už to prostě není ono” (It’s just not the same anymore), before adding a melancholic play on words: “Jsem v háji. V Hájích” (I’m in a mess. In Háje).
Daily Life Between Comfort and Longing
Life inside the Prague senior home involves a complex mix of safety and nostalgia, according to interviews with her friend Zdeněk Barták published by Prima Ženy. While Simonová acknowledged to reporters that facility staff “prostě zachrání” (simply save a person), she admitted that adjusting to an unfamiliar environment remains difficult. She misses the public eye, audiences, and long afternoons in cafes, noting that the residence’s internal cafe “není pravá kavárna” (isn’t a real cafe). Over time, her routine stabilized; Barták noted that she now has her own room, receives admiration from staff and residents, and occasionally sings, though her grand piano at home remains untouched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Yvetta Simonová move to a nursing home?
According to VIPživot.cz, Simonová moved to the Domov pro seniory Háje because she could no longer safely manage her medications, feared showering without assistance, and struggled with balance and mobility at home.
Who is Yvetta Simonová’s son?
Her son is Tomáš Spurný, the director of Prague’s Divadlo U Hasičů, who was unable to provide round-the-clock care due to his own recovery from two major surgeries and heavy professional commitments, as reported by VIPživot.cz.
Did Yvetta Simonová attempt to leave the facility?
Yes. After an initial six-week trial period starting in July 2024, she left for her apartment, but quickly realized she could not manage daily life alone and called the facility to return within hours.
What recognition has Yvetta Simonová received for her career?
According to VIPživot.cz, Simonová entered the Česká kniha rekordů in 2023 to honor a performing career spanning more than eighty years on the Czech music scene.