Elderly health in the world and Turkey and importance of home care services

Abstract

In a developing and and changing society, the number of elderly people is increasing exponentially. Aging is a biological process that reveals differences amongst individuals. The proportion of older people needing nursing care in total population in the world has recently been growing fast. During 2000-2030 the worldwide population aged ? 65 years is projected to increase by approximately 550 million to 973 million, incerasing from 6.9 % to 12.0 % worldwide, from 15.5 % to 24.3 in Europe, from 12.6 % to 20.3 % in North America, from 6.0 % to 12.0 % in Asia and from 5.5 % to 11.6 % in Latin America and Caribbean. During 2000-2020, Turkey's population aged ?65 years is projected to increase by approximately 6 million to 12 million. Being elderly has become a social problem. Because of many reasons like aging or chronic illness sometimes people can unwillingly confront with the problem of nursing neediness. In social and economic dimensions the problem influences not only persons in need of nursing, also their family and community. Structured home care services in health system does not exist in Turkey. A home care service model, which takes into consideration the social characterictics of the country, should be developed in country where there is a large elderly population. Home care services can be provided as an alternative to institutional care to people, in case of their demand, who need care because of aging and chronic diseases. Well-being and increased quality of life for the elderly people can be obtained by taking the appropriate measures, it is necessary that relevant health disciplines cooperate in this context.