X generation's perception of nursing home and their views on institutional care: The case of Kırşehir

Although many scientific studies have been conducted on eldery, aging, nursing homes and institutional care, no study has been found in the literature review about the views, thoughts and perceptions of today's middle-aged individuals belonging to the X generation regarding old age, nursing homes or institutional care. However, the members of the X generation will be included in the classification of elderly individuals according to the chronological definition in the coming decades. It is known that the perceptions and opinions of today's middle-aged and future-aged individuals on elderly care, which is accepted as an important social phenomenon, are important in terms of social policy planning. In this respect, the findings related to the subject of the research constitute a resource for scientists; In addition to this, it is thought that it will contribute to the institutions that are assigned duties in the preparation of social policies. With this research, it was aimed to determine the perceptions/thoughts of middle-aged people, who were born between 1965-1980, defined as the X generation, and lived in Kırşehir, regarding old age and nursing homes, and their views on institutional care. Qualitative research method was used in this research. The data obtained by using semi-structured interview forms with the members of Generation X (individuals born between 1965-1980) who were determined as the sample group and residing in Kırşehir Province, were interpreted with content analysis methods. As a result of the research, it was seen that the participants' perceptions of old age, nursing home and institutional care were negative, they were aware of the changes in the family structure, and they preferred family care rather than institutional care.