A qualitative research on the aging and old age experiences of the rums living in Gökçeada

Objective: The aim of this thesis is to qualitatively investigate the aging processes and old age of the elderly Rums living in Gökçeada and to reveal testable hypotheses for quantitative research on the aging of minorities. Taking into account the demographic change observed in the minority population, it is aimed to obtain empirical information about the "life course" of the minorities in their old age in the example of the Rum minority. Method: Qualitative method was used in the research. Participants were consciously chosen from men aged 60 and over, among "typical examples" of old age. Semi-structured interview technique was used as a data collection/generation technique. Observations made with the contribution of the experience of living in the field were also added. The aging biographies of our Rum citizens were examined and the "biographical research method" was used. In order to collect the data required for this, "problem-centered" interviews were conducted and evaluated with "qualitative content analysis". Results: In the study, it was found that the old Rum individuals' perceptions of old age differ in social, physical and psychic aspects; İmroz's cognitive schemas match with belonging, reflect the cultures of coexistence, and contain positive and negative environmental factors; it has been seen that there are social, physical and technological differences with the younger generations, they perceive the need for care as a lack of physical and social competence, and finally, the main problem of the island is transportation and health services. Conclusion: Aging and old age in the cognitive world of the elderly Rums living in Gökçeada; It is described as a state of social, psychological and physical well-being. Although there is no direct significant data on the effect of being a minority on the aging processes, the 1964 MGK decisions have left social and psychological effects on the Rums of Gökçeada. In addition, it has been determined that there was no religious or cultural aging style, and that the primary problems are transportation and health services (nursing home and full-fledged hospital). Key words: gökçeada, imroz, rums, minority, elderly