Türkiye’de Yaşlılara Yönelik Kurumsal Bakım Hizmetlerinin Önündeki Kültürel ve Toplumsal Engeller
Cultural and Social Obstacles to Institutional Care Services for the Elderly in Turkey

Summary/Abstract: The rapid growth of the elderly population in Türkiye has brought increased attention to the scope and quality of services designed to meet their care needs. Institutional care services, in particular, have emerged as a key area of intervention for addressing the physical, psychological, and social needs of older adults. The effectiveness of these services, however, is shaped not only by structural conditions but also by the influence of cultural norms and societal values. This study examines the cultural and social barriers that limit the development of institutional care services for older adults in Türkiye and discusses these barriers through a geriatric lens, informed by a social work perspective. Overall, ensuring that institutional elderly care is provided efficiently and effectively requires overcoming cultural and societal obstacles, strengthening social services, and planning care with cultural sensitivity. This process is also essential for challenging negative societal judgments about elder care and ensuring that institutional care is accepted as a legitimate alternative to family-based caregiving. At this point, social workers play a crucial role by adopting a multidisciplinary approach grounded in geriatric principles when working with older adults. The field of geriatrics offers a holistic framework that considers not only health-related issues but also the psychosocial and functional needs of aging individuals. Social workers should implement public awareness initiatives aimed at dispelling negative beliefs surrounding institutional care and work toward fostering a positive perception of institutional care services. Such efforts can contribute both to shifting societal attitudes toward older adults and to strengthening the acceptance of institutional care within the broader community.

• Details
• Contents