Assoc. Prof. Ömer Şevgin emphasized that housing design and urban planning tailored to the care, home activities, and self-sufficiency of elderly individuals are essential, stating: “By building age-friendly cities, we can improve the quality of life of our elderly citizens.”
Highlighting that ergonomic arrangements are of vital importance in designing an “age-friendly” home, Assoc. Prof. Şevgin added: “With advancing technology, smart home systems have also become highly significant for elderly individuals, providing important functions and making life easier.”
Assoc. Prof. Ömer Şevgin, Head of the Healthy Aging Working Group at Üsküdar University and faculty member in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, discussed the issue of elderly individuals living alone and the importance of “age-friendly homes.”
One in five elderly individuals is chronically lonely
Explaining that loneliness and solitude can be defined not only as physical but also as mental “perceptions of isolation,” Assoc. Prof. Şevgin said: “Loneliness is a common phenomenon among the elderly and affects nearly one in three people. Furthermore, one in five elderly individuals is classified as chronically lonely. The elderly population is increasing in Türkiye as it is worldwide. Over the past year, the elderly population in our country has exceeded 10% of the total, and they are becoming increasingly isolated. The reasons include weakening family ties, the death of a spouse, rising divorce rates, decreasing desire to have children, socioeconomic factors, and young people’s desire for individualism and independence. Strategies must be developed to address the needs of elderly people who become isolated due to these and similar factors.”
“Age-friendly cities” have become a requirement
Assoc. Prof. Şevgin continued his remarks as follows: By constructing age-friendly cities, we can improve the quality of life of our elderly. At the same time, horizontal architecture instead of vertical high-rise buildings, combined with nature-integrated living spaces, will positively affect the living standards of both the elderly and ourselves. Urban planning should include wide and flat sidewalks, non-slip paving materials, sensor-controlled traffic lights, barriers along sidewalks, elevators on overpasses, and other measures.”
Home accidents are among the greatest threats to the elderly
Assoc. Prof. Şevgin noted that most accidents involving elderly people occur indoors: “Falls, collisions, and kitchen accidents involving sharp objects are the most common. The areas of the home where accidents most often occur include bathrooms, toilets, and stairways. Falls are most frequently seen at night or in the early morning hours.”
Designing homes for the elderly prevents many injuries
Underscoring that prevention is the most effective way to avoid accidents, Assoc. Prof. Şevgin said: “This rule applies to elderly individuals as well. Designing a home suitable for elderly people will prevent many accidents and injuries. Examples include using non-slip mats on slippery floors, removing carpets unless absolutely necessary (and if used, choosing very thin ones), installing wall-mounted handrails in hallways, adding sensor-controlled lighting in hallways and bedrooms, and placing non-slip materials on stair steps. When purchasing a new home, features such as sufficient sunlight exposure, being on a lower floor, and the availability of an elevator system should be considered.”
Ergonomic and smart home systems improve quality of life
Emphasizing the critical importance of ergonomic arrangements in designing age-friendly homes, Assoc. Prof. Şevgin said: “Examples of ergonomic arrangements include kitchen counters adjusted to a person’s height, toilets of suitable height, the absence of door thresholds, and lighting in daylight tones that do not cause glare. These features are essential for a safe home.”
Adding that developing technology provides major advantages, he said: “Smart home systems play a very important role for elderly individuals, making their lives easier. Examples include odor and smoke detectors, smart camera systems, reminder alarms, smart robotic systems (such as vacuum cleaners, ovens, TVs), and lighting systems.”
Assoc. Prof. Şevgin also noted that mental health cannot be separated from the environment: “A bright and spacious home, light-colored walls, and portraits on the walls to recall memories will help elderly individuals feel better.”
The desire for independent living requires good health
Emphasizing that being healthy is the foundation for independent living, Assoc. Prof. Şevgin said: “This health is not only physical but also psychological and mental. Engaging in at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of physical activity per week is extremely important. Activities such as walking, light exercises, or using outdoor fitness equipment in parks are suitable. Social interactions such as meeting friends, visiting markets, and joining community activities are crucial for mental and emotional health. Solving puzzles, playing with grandchildren, and gardening also have highly positive effects on elderly individuals’ health. Doing or attempting to do these activities promotes health and being healthy paves the way for independent living while minimizing the need for care.”