Üsküdar University Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, made evaluations on the psychological and social dimensions of aging, the mental health needs of elderly individuals, and the importance of geropsychology due to October 1st International Day of Older Persons.
“Aging is a special stage that needs to be examined within its own developmental dynamics”
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that human life expectancy has increased with advancements in medical and health technologies, and said that preparations should be made for the care and mental health needs of the growing elderly population.
According to World Health Organization data, Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that the population aged 60 and over will reach 2.1 billion in 2050, and said that planning should be done against the burden of increasing care needs on the healthcare system and the economy.
Assoc. Prof. Demir, drawing attention to the importance of training professionals specialized in the field of aging, noted the following:
“The heavy burden that rapidly increasing care needs will bring to the healthcare system and economy can only be prevented by making this issue a strategic national priority. The sustainability of social policies and the prevention of this impending crisis are possible through the training of professionals who are fully conversant with the dynamics of aging and specifically specialized in this field. This is because the aging process is a special stage that needs to be examined within the framework of its own developmental dynamics.”
Assoc. Prof. Demir stated that geropsychology is a specialized field focusing on the elderly population, and noted that this field helps individuals understand the cognitive, emotional, and physical changes they undergo as they age. Assoc. Prof. Demir expressed that geropsychology aims to protect the quality of life of elderly individuals and their families, help them cope with the difficulties they encounter, and support them in utilizing their potential to the fullest.
Aging should not be reduced solely to bodily care
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that in Turkey, the issue of aging is mostly evaluated based on physical needs, and said, “Today, when we talk about old age in our country, what often comes to mind first are pensions, nursing homes, never-ending physical illnesses, medications, and merely bodily care. Unfortunately, the mental health of the elderly is still seen as a luxury or a secondary need. However, a complete state of well-being requires a biopsychosocial and holistic approach.”
“Aging was made to feel like a shame that should be hidden”
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that anti-aging discourses prominent in society and media affect individuals' perspectives on the aging process, and continued as follows:
“For years, an anti-aging movement, or anti-aging trend, has been ingrained in our minds in every field, from the cosmetics industry to popular culture discourses. We were made to feel as if aging was a shameful flaw, a disgrace that should be hidden, or a biological disease that should be directly fought. Women and men were made to feel guilty about their wrinkles, graying hair, and slowing steps.”
Retirement and changing family roles can affect self-perception
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that adapting to the changes brought by aging is not always easy, and said that with retirement, individuals can feel 'I'm no longer producing, I'm useless'.
Assoc. Prof. Demir stated that in this process, individuals may have to rebuild their self-esteem independently of their professional identity, and said, “The transition of a parent who manages, protects, and cares for the family to a position of being cared for and needing their children's care over time can trigger a severe autonomy crisis. The successive loss of a lifelong partner, siblings, and peers creates a deep wave of grief and loneliness, while changes in location and habits such as being unable to drive, climb stairs, becoming dependent on a helper at home, or moving to a nursing home, damage one's sense of control over life.”
The thought of 'I don't want to be a burden' can deepen loneliness!
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that difficulty in performing daily tasks in a rapidly digitalizing world can increase feelings of inadequacy in elderly individuals, and said, “This situation can leave elderly individuals vulnerable to both financial and emotional abuse. Persistent physical pain, physical incapacities, feelings of helplessness, a shrinking social circle, and the ingrained thought of 'I don't want to be a burden to anyone anymore' often result in social isolation.”
“Depression is not an inevitable outcome of aging”
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir emphasized that mental health problems observed in elderly individuals should not be dismissed by saying 'It's due to old age', and said, “One of the most dangerous attitudes we frequently encounter in our society is to dismiss an elderly individual's withdrawal, constant sadness, insomnia, loss of appetite, or lack of enjoyment in life by saying, 'Well, they're old now, it's very normal, it's due to old age.' Depression or anxiety are not inevitable outcomes of aging. They are mental disorders that require treatment.”
Burnout of family caregivers should not be overlooked
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that the difficulties experienced by close relatives who provide care should be addressed as much as the needs of the elderly individual, and continued as follows:
“The severe physical and emotional exhaustion felt by family members who single-handedly care for a relative with dementia, Alzheimer's, stroke, or advanced chronic illness should never be overlooked. An exhausted caregiver experiences chronic stress, anger, guilt, and helplessness over time. This situation can unconsciously turn into intolerance, harsh reactions, and unintentional neglect towards the elderly individual. It is essential to empower the caregiver with caregiver support groups, stress management training, and psychological support; because protecting the caregiver is directly protecting the elderly individual.”
Geropsychology provides support to both the elderly individual and their family
Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir stated that geropsychology supports both the elderly individual and their family in the face of biological, psychological, and social difficulties of aging, and added that this field also addresses the reflections of medical and neurological disorders on mental health.
Assoc. Prof. Demir stated that the multidimensional support offered through comprehensive evaluations and psychotherapy methods helps elderly individuals cope with the difficulties they encounter and maintain their quality of life.
“Discussing the mental health of the elderly is an investment in our future selves”
Emphasizing that creating an age-friendly society concerns all generations, Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Gümüş Demir concluded her words as follows:
“Today, discussing the mental health of our elderly, and opening up the institutional, academic, and social space that geropsychology deserves, is in fact a direct investment in our future selves. Because the most valuable social legacy we can leave to our children and our future is to build a society that does not fear aging, makes room for the wisdom of its elders, and can age healthily, honorably, and happily. With the wish to create age-friendly societies where individuals of all ages are embraced with respect, I celebrate October 1st International Day of Older Persons.”
