The conference titled "The Future of Elderly Care: Migration, Social Inclusion and Solidarity" organized by Ankara University Aging Studies Application and Research Center (YASAM) was held on 3 October 2017 with the presence of Ms. Emine Erdoğan. Opening speeches by LIFE Director Prof.Dr. Emine Özmete, Rector of Ankara University Prof.Dr. The conference, which was held by Erkan İbiş, Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya and Ms. Emine Erdoğan, continued with the presentations of invited speakers. In the program, the exhibition themed "Journey to Hope", consisting of photographs displaying the elderly guests and their families who came to our country due to forced migration, was visited with interest by the participants. At the conference titled “The Future of Elderly Care: Migration, Social Inclusion and Solidarity”, Undersecretary of the Ministry for EU Affairs, Ambassador Selim Yenel, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies Ayşe Kardaş, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Turkey Foreign Relations and Information Manager Selin Ünal and Emine Özmete, Director of Ankara University Aging Studies Application and Research Center (YASAM), made a speech.
“The Future of Elderly Care: Migration, Social Inclusion and Solidarity” Conference Results
1. POPULATION PROJECTIONS MUST BE CONSIDERED.
The population in Turkey is 84 247 088 people in 2023; Within this population, the elderly population (65+) is expected to be 8.6 million and the ratio of the elderly population to the total population is expected to increase to 10.2%. Population will increase slowly until 2050 and reach the highest level with 93 475 575 people; It is foreseen that the ratio of the elderly population to the total population will increase to 20.8%. Population of 89 172 088 people in 2075; The ratio of the elderly population to the total population is expected to increase to 27.7%. The renewal level of the population decreases with the decrease in the number of births per woman. In Turkey, this number is 2.1 on average. This will not be able to maintain the renewal level of the population in the medium and long term.
2. THE VALUE AND RESPECT OF THE ELDERLY IN THE SOCIETY MUST BE PROTECTED.
In modern society, it is necessary to prevent the erosion of the value and dignity of the elderly in the family and society due to the transition from the extended family to the nuclear family, the increase in migration from the countryside to the city, and the differences in values and beliefs between generations. The elderly are an important potential for both family and society with their wisdom and experience. Evaluation of this potential; It is a necessity for economic and human development as well as the sustainability of cultural structure and social structure.
3. SERVICE TO THE ELDERLY MUST BE CONSTRUCTED.
The main target for the elderly; it is primarily to lead their lives in the environment they live in, in health, peace and security, to be able to manage themselves in the society, to lead a productive and respectful life. The government exists for the welfare of the people. Full access to services must be provided. It should be ensured that the problems specific to old age are prevented, the problems are minimized and the problem-solving capacities of the elderly are developed. The area of aged welfare should not be feared, feared or viewed as a problem. However, the old age period should be evaluated with different dimensions such as economic, social, cultural, health, physical environment, education, community participation, active aging, lifelong learning. With the understanding that every elder is "unique", service/services should be designed according to the physical, social and economic conditions of the elderly, and services should be diversified and expanded in good standards. While planning social policies and services in this regard, the situation of foreign guests coming to our country should also be taken into consideration.
4. DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA OF ELDERLY WELLNESS IN TURKEY
- 2006- Ministry of Development (DPT): Situation of the Elderly in Turkey and Aging National Action Plan” was prepared.
- 2011- The Ministry of Family and Social Services was established, and the General Directorate of Services for the Disabled and Elderly was established. 2013-Ministry of Family and Social Services: "The Situation of the Elderly in Turkey and Aging National Action Implementation Program" was prepared.
- 2014- Ministry of Development: 10. Within the scope of the Development Plan, the Aging Specialization Commission was established for the first time in Turkey and its report was prepared.
- 2016- Ministry of Family and Social Services: “Active Aging Strategy Document” was prepared.
5. SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN TURKEY
- Institutional Residential Care: Nursing Home Model Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center Elderly Life Homes
- Home Care: Home Care Fee/Social Assistance In accordance with the Law No.
- 2022, pensions for the needy, powerless and orphans who have completed the age of 65
- Elderly Support Program (YADES)
- Home Health Services
6. ATTENTION MUST BE ATTENTION TO THE CONNECTION OF MIGRATION AND AGING.
In recent years, our country has faced international forced migration, which has not been seen before. Due to the geopolitical position of our country, international migration has become an important issue for both our domestic and foreign policy. The spiral of violence, terror and instability experienced in our region, especially in Syria and Iraq today, has directed those living in these regions to Turkey, which is a neighboring country. 3.2 million Syrians live in Turkey. The number of Syrian children born in the last 6 years has approached 300,000. 835,000 of the Syrians in our country are school-age children. The vast majority of these children have become able to benefit from education opportunities in our country. More than 12,600 recruited Syrian teachers also contribute to education services and collaborate with UNICEF on the training of trainers. The number of Syrians studying at our universities is more than 14 thousand, and the number of Syrian academics employed in universities in our country has approached 400. Approximately 60 thousand Syrians aged 65+ live in our country. Not only our own elderly people, but also other elderly people who come to our country and cannot find the opportunity to grow old in their country of birth, benefit from the services for the elderly, which are implemented with a social inclusion and solidarity approach. According to the Global Humanitarian Aid Report, our country became the world's second largest donor country in 2015 with humanitarian aid. In the same year, Turkey also became the "most generous country in the world" in terms of the rate of allocating its national income (0.37%) for humanitarian aid.
7. POPULATION PROJECTIONS AND MIGRATION IN THE WORLD
- Africa's population will increase from 1704 million in 2030 to 2.528 million in 2050.
- While the population in Asia is 4 947 million in 2030, it will be 5 250 million in 2050. On the other hand, the population of Europe, which is expected to be 739 million in 2030, is expected to decrease to 716 million in 2050.
- While the population is decreasing in the developed countries of the world, the population is increasing in Africa and Asia.
- In the near future, developed countries with a decreasing population will need the human capital and labor of Africa and Asia.
- It seems inevitable that the developed countries in the world will invest in the economic, social and human capital of the underdeveloped African countries.
8. THE VULNERABILITY OF THE ELDERLY COMING BY MIGRATION MUST BE REDUCED.
- The language barrier must be removed.
- Legal and bureaucratic obstacles must be resolved.
- The participation of the elderly, who have been cut off from their social environment and whose communication has decreased, should be supported.
- Their access to information and services is limited due to their low knowledge of the social structure and environment in the country they migrate to.
- Therefore, they need social and institutional support. They have difficulty in harmony between the individual and the environment.
- They should be supported for active aging due to the increased likelihood of a passive aging period.
- Instead of discrimination and xenophobia, the concept of xenophobia should be emphasized.
- Instead of social exclusion, social inclusion and equal opportunity approach should be provided, participation in society and access to services.
9. GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES-SUGGESTIONS FOR SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN TURKEY
- Integrated care services: An integrated combination of home care services, health services and social services. Providing personal care, shopping, food, home management services at home periodically and sustainably according to the care needs of the elderly. Although this service exists in our country, it is not common. It is offered primarily to the elderly in need. However, it should also be planned for elderly couples who are not economically needy, needy in terms of health status, or elderly people living alone.
Carer pool model for home care
In each province, first of all, those who have graduated from vocational high schools' aged care departments, universities' aged care and home care associate degree programs and those who have received certificates should be registered in the caregiver pool.
While charging is made according to the length of service and quality of service from those who are in good economic condition, this service should be provided free of charge to the elderly in need.
- Intergenerational solidarity centre: Day centers should be established where grandparents and grandchildren will spend time together in the company of professionals.
- Day care centers: Centers where the elderly can spend time with their peers and discover their talents should be activated.
- There should be specialized organizations for diseases such as dementia/Alzheimer's.
- In order to finance the elderly care, the elderly care insurance system applied in developed countries should be implemented.
