- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.34+0.24%
- EUR55.21-0.01%
- GOLD4,186.40-0.10%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,358-0.48%
- October 13, 202617°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.34+0.24%
- EUR55.21-0.01%
- GOLD4,186.40-0.10%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,358-0.48%
- October 13, 202617°
Minister Göktaş announces Oct. 1 walks for older people across 81 provinces
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that simultaneous walks will be held at 11 a.m. in all 81 provinces on Oct. 1 for the International Day of Older Persons.
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that simultaneous walks will be held at 11 a.m. in all 81 provinces on Oct. 1 for the International Day of Older Persons. The events will be organized under the coordination of provincial directorates, in cooperation with governorates, local administrations, public institutions, universities and civil society organizations.
The walking routes will be selected from accessible and safe areas with facilities for rest to make it easier for older people to participate. The events will highlight intergenerational solidarity and the participation of older people in social life.
Theme for 2026 is longevity
Göktaş said the United Nations had designated the 2026 theme for the International Day of Older Persons as “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.” She said longer life expectancy required new approaches in every area of society.
Göktaş said various events were organized every year to support older people’s participation in social life, and recalled that the First Council on Ageing was held after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared 2019 the “Year of Older Persons.”
Göktaş said that during the subsequent “Year of Retirees,” “Year of the Family” and “Decade of Family and Population,” ageing was addressed together with family structure and demographic change. She noted that workshops were held in all 81 provinces in 2025 as part of the Ageing Field Study, while the Second Council on Ageing was held in April 2026.
Support for older people
Göktaş said various service models were being implemented to support older people alongside their families and social circles, and announced that 107,731 older people were being supported with their families through the Home Care Allowance. Under the National Vefa Program, the personal care needs of 132,880 older people were met.
Göktaş said the Older People’s Support Program had reached 173,103 older people, adding that lifelong learning opportunities had been expanded at 34 Tazelenme Universities and that services were provided at 43 Daytime Active Living Centers to strengthen older people’s ties with social life.
The ministry said 14,621 older people were receiving care services at 179 nursing homes affiliated with the ministry, 1,204 at 18 nursing homes operated by other public institutions, and 14,214 at 296 privately operated nursing homes. Work is continuing to open eight more nursing homes this year.
Bocce activities are being organized at all nursing homes to support the healthy and active lives of older people residing there. Eight bocce tournaments have been held among nursing homes to date.
Digital and intergenerational activities
Highlighting the importance of older people’s access to technology, Göktaş announced that 1,923 older people had received digital and financial literacy training. Thirty-one Digital Spring Rooms were established as part of the initiative.
Provincial directorates will organize intergenerational meetings to showcase older people’s knowledge, experience and production, along with cultural, artistic and sporting activities.
Stay Updated with The Turkiye Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
