Study of old age in nursing home and a model suggestion in elderly care: Coliving Sites

Demographically increasing elderly population in the world and in Turkey, the phenomenon of urbanization and migration, and the changing position of the elderly in society have increased the importance of looking at old age from a sociological perspective. With the modernization process and the change in family structure and lifestyles, old age and especially elderly care have started to emerge as a problem. In this study, which examines the place of the elderly in family and institutional care services in terms of social change and aims to propose a mixed care model in elderly care, first of all, information about its conceptual and theoretical framework is given. Demographic aging, the effect of population aging on the economy and the effect of changing family structure on the elderly are emphasized. The position of the elderly in modern societies has been examined from a sociological point of view. Institutional elderly care models in the world and institutional care in Turkey are mentioned. Care and support models suitable for the living arrangements of the elderly are examined through examples. Suggested as an elderly care model with a thesis study; Explanations and sample sketches about the Coexistence Site, which is a mixed model of family and institutional care in elderly care, are included. Qualitative research method was used in the research. 24 personnel from the care personnel and health personnel working in Çankırı İsmail Özdemir Nursing Home were included in the study. A focus group interview was conducted as a data collection method in the research. The collected data were evaluated by content analysis method. According to the results of the research, working in a nursing home has affected the thoughts of the personnel about the phenomenon of old age. The participants stated that the social norm that their family should take care of the elderly began to change. In the preferences of the participants for the old age period; They focus on the institutional structure of the nursing home and the advantages of staying in a nursing home. The majority of the participants emphasized independent living in terms of their preferences for old age periods. According to the results of the research, it may be easier for the elderly who have adopted a more independent lifestyle before the old age period to adapt to the nursing home life. The fact that the elderly experience problems of belonging to the place in the nursing home, their longing for their families and children are the main factors that determine their relations with other elderly individuals and personnel in the institution. The participants stated that the Coexistence Site model, which was put forward by the thesis study, is applicable. Keywords: Elderly, Elderly, Aging Sociology, Elderly Care