Age policies in the context of social municipality: Elderly support program implementation

As a result of preventive health policies and certain demographic transformations, the number of elderly population has increased with each passing time, leaving societies with the phenomenon of demographic aging. The social benefits of old age have made it necessary to enrich the contents of social policies and to reshape them with certain plans and programs. In our country, the Ministry of Family and Social Services initiated the Elderly Support Program (YADES) to support and expand the services provided by metropolitan municipalities to the elderly. It is aimed to reveal the components of the related services offered to the elderly in a holistic manner, to guide the services offered to the elderly, to determine the services needed and to make suggestions to the decision makers. In the study, the services provided by the municipalities within the scope of YADES were subjected to content analysis and structured under three headings as health services, care services, social and cultural activities. Within the scope of health services of metropolitan municipalities, health support including routine health checks at home or in institutions, psychological and physical therapy services to prevent loss of function such as guidance and walking in the old age, and balance disorder, transportation services to health institutions to prevent disease diagnoses and possible negative situations are provided. Within the scope of maintenance services, technical support services including cleaning of living spaces, repair and repair activities, routine personal cleaning and food services are offered. With social and cultural activities, it is aimed to prevent the elderly person from being isolated from the society. In this context, business and occupation activities such as calligraphy, painting, painting, marbling, various music concerts, excursions and sports activities including local and foreign organizations, various screenings, conferences, conversations and activities such as celebration of certain weeks, cinema-theatre and awareness. programs provide support to elderly individuals in the old age process. Within the scope of YADES, there is a need to diversify the services provided by the municipalities with old age policies such as security, lifelong learning and intergenerational solidarity.