Istanbul Gelisim University - The definition of old age needs to be discussed

The definition of old age needs to be discussed

Gerontologist Sıla Ayan, who stated that the definition of the elderly is closely related to the level of development and quality of life, said: “Defining the age of 65 and over is valid for most Western societies as 60 years and over in the definition of the United Nations, 50-55 years in Africa and Sub-Saharan regions.”

Gerontologist from Istanbul Gelisim University Lect. Sıla Ayan said the following: “Age restrictions that apply across Europe and Turkey are defined so: 65-74 age - early age, 75-84 – older age, 85 and over as advanced old age. In the new suggestion it is offered that people under 65 years old to be defined a young, 66 - 79 years old middle-aged, 80-99 old, 100 and older individuals are called centuries old. However, this situation has no official validity. Considering the distribution of the elderly population, 65-74 age group has 62.8%, 75-84 age range has 28.2%, 85 and over 9.1% population percentages.”

78.3 YEARS IS AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN TURKEY

Sila Ayan voicing that the average life expectancy is 78.3 years in Turkey, added: "the average life expectancy of 75.6 years compared to male sex, is seen as women's average life expectancy of 81 years. The healthy life span is observed as 58.3 years. In this case, it can be said that some risks related to health arise before reaching the age limit. Similarly, when the mortality rates in Italy are read, the mortality rate, which was 2.8% in the 50-59 age group, peaked 8.4% in the 60-69 age group, reaching 32% in the 70-79 age group and 42% in the 80-89 age group, there is a case in which it expresses a high value. In addition, the average age of deaths is 81.”

Referring to the need to discuss what aging and age actually are, Ayan said: “Our calendar (chronological) age is just one of 12 different aging dimensions. Among these dimensions, there are different topics such as gender, life history, subjective and objective evaluations, dynamic process and limited flexibility. This detailed multidimensionality is the reason why health sciences and social sciences in general are confused by this basic definition, which is a gerontological phenomenon.”

Considering demographic changes, globally 60+ populations are expected to increase from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050. By 2020, if epidemic disease and mortality rates were not encountered, it would be the first year in which the population aged 60 and over passed the population under 5 years of age.

Ayan continued her speech as follows: “Elderly people are a risk group with high rates of damage due to the spread of the virus, the fact that it has stopped growing over time, physiological losses and changes in the immune system rather than being the main carrier of the disease. The isolation decision was taken not to protect the society from the elderly, but to protect the elderly from the society. However, the recent pediatric case deaths and symptoms and life-long damage in young people show that isolation and mental attitude are important for all age groups.”

“GERONTOLOGIES MUST BE TASKED ON THE FIELD”

Stating that making the decision for them together with them rather than dictating what to do will create more positive effects on elderly people, Ayan said: “In this respect, an age-friendly communication process should be adopted and gerontologists who are experts in this field should be assigned on the field, even on a voluntary basis. After the isolation and survival, which is the first step and essential in pandemic management in loyalty groups, it is necessary to focus on psychosocial needs in the next stage.”