At Üsküdar Üniversitesi, aging was addressed multi-dimensionally at the “Happy Aging and Gerontology Symposium” held within the scope of Elderly Appreciation Week.
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated: “The thing that develops the brain the most is being open to new experiences, learning new information. Therefore, learning computers and following new technologies is a cure for Alzheimer's. Those who learn to be happy by producing, not consuming, are also happy in old age…”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “People who are open to learning new things develop their brains the most, and since the brain is the orchestra conductor that manages our body, whoever manages their brain manages their life.”
Hamza Cebeci, President of Darülaceze and Presidential Advisor: “Like the rest of the world, Turkey is also aging…”
Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “There is a widening gap between generations.”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan: “Turkey also has an aging population. Turkey’s average age has risen to 34.”
Futurist Ufuk Tarhan: “Young people should not age quickly, nor should the elderly be treated as if they will soon depart for the other side.”
Hosted by Üsküdar University, the “Happy Aging and Gerontology Symposium” organized by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (İTFB) and the Institute of Social Sciences (SOBE) within the scope of Elderly Appreciation Week, took place at the Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
The opening speeches were delivered by Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (İTFB) and Symposium Chair, Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Rector of Üsküdar University, Hamza Cebeci, President of Darülaceze and Presidential Advisor, and Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University and Honorary Chair of the Symposium.
Prof. Dr. Arıboğan: “Second Spring universities are now opening around the world”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan stated that concepts like 'old age' are no longer being used, and at this point where the quest for immortality, humanity’s most ancient pursuit, has arrived, people might succeed in reaching an age of perhaps 100-150 years.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan noted that the budget for national defense expenditures worldwide is 2.2 trillion dollars, and the money spent on brain and neurodegenerative diseases is 5 trillion dollars, adding that this figure is projected to reach 16 trillion dollars by 2030.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan stated that the needs of aging populations are now being considered, and that 'Second Spring' universities are opening worldwide, where people over 60 are returning to study.
Arıboğan, noting that the average human lifespan was 50 at the beginning of the 20th century and is now spoken of in the 80s, said, “Turkey also has an aging population. Turkey’s average age has risen to 34. Approximately 8 percent are over 65. This will reach 40 percent by 2100.”
Prof. Dr. Güngör: “Increasing distance between generations increases stress”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Rector of Üsküdar University, stated that with digitalization, the gap between generations has been widening recently, saying, “There is an increasing distance between today's digital youth and the elderly or aging population who remain outside the digital realm. There is a widening chasm. This increasing distance between generations, on the one hand, exacerbates certain depressive states and stress.”
Prof. Dr. Güngör pointed out the necessary transfer of knowledge and experience between generations, and also explained that loneliness is prevalent among generations excluded from digital technology.
Prof. Dr. Güngör also emphasized the need to create environments for children in kindergartens and residents of elderly care homes to periodically come together, stating, “The intergenerational transfer of experience and knowledge from elders to youngsters is diminishing. We must work to narrow the gap between generations.”
Hamza Cebeci: “The issue is to live happily, peacefully, and usefully”
In his speech, Hamza Cebeci, President of Darülaceze and Presidential Advisor, stated that a long life, if not useful, peaceful, and beneficial, would be detrimental to society, and said, “The issue is to live happily, peacefully, and usefully.”
Cebeci, pointing out that negative perceptions regarding Darülaceze still persist, said that nearly 500 people reside at Darülaceze, and there is one doctor for every 50 people, yet past perceptions still cannot be erased.
Cebeci also noted that as people age, the state needs to allocate very significant budgets to elderly care, and stated, “Living long is desirable, but a long life also brings difficulties. Measures need to be taken. Like the rest of the world, Turkey is also aging.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “As aging increases, people need to spend the last periods of their lives with quality”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University and Honorary Chair of the Symposium, stated that the average age has significantly increased worldwide and in Turkey, and said, “As aging increases, people need to spend the last periods of their lives with quality.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized the importance of preparing for a happy life in old age, saying that neuroscientific studies exist on how aging occurs, and that the lengthening of telomeres in DNA also means an increase in average life expectancy.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that while the average lifespan is extending, healthy aging also needs to be learned, and that being happy by consuming instead of producing is a negative situation for someone in old age, because people live by what they eat up to a certain age, and by what they don't eat after a certain age.
Tarhan also stated that 60-70% of diseases are related to nutritional and lifestyle errors, and that as diet and lifestyle change, diseases also end before they even begin.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “Being a superager is not about genetics, it’s about lifestyle…”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the philosophy glorifying happiness through consumption is the greatest enemy of aging, and said, “Being happy by producing is important. Those who learn to be happy by producing, not consuming, are also happy in old age… The thing that develops the brain the most is being open to new experiences, learning new information. Therefore, learning computers and following new technologies is a cure for Alzheimer's. When people learn new things, the hippocampus region related to memory produces stem cells. Neural stem cells in people who are keen to learn new things also stimulate growth factors in the brain. New cells form in the brain. There are ‘superagers’ who have no memory issues at 100 years old. They are called superagers. Being a superager is not about genetics, it’s about lifestyle… One needs to be open to learning new things.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that living a certain routine is not good for the brain, and said, “People who are open to learning new things develop their brains the most, and since the brain is the orchestra conductor that manages our body, whoever manages their brain manages their life. Fear of novelty is an important factor that hinders quality aging.”
“Overcoming loneliness in old age has a rehabilitative effect”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized the importance of the meaning given to aging, and explained that when aging cannot be transformed into healthy aging, people focus on their physical appearance out of fear of getting old.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that those engaging in exaggerated behaviors to appear young do so to overcome the fear of aging, and also pointed to the fear of death, emphasizing the importance of being able to manage it.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that humans are not programmed to live alone, and reminded that overcoming loneliness in old age has a rehabilitative effect, and the happiest thing for an elderly person is to be asked for their opinion.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that studies emphasizing healthy aging are related to the development level of society.
Aging was addressed multi-dimensionally at the symposium
At the symposium, Prof. Dr. Hulusi Keçeci from Istinye University Faculty of Medicine gave a presentation on “Neurocognition in Aging”, and Dr. Lecturer Zeynep Gümüş Demir from Üsküdar University/Psychology Department presented on “Psychotherapy in the Elderly.”
In the panel titled “A Multi-Dimensional Perspective on Aging”, Futurist, Economist, Author Ufuk Tarhan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Merve Çebi and Dr. Lecturer Hazal Ayas from Üsküdar University Psychology Department participated as speakers.
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Ufuk Tarhan: “The world, as a trend, doesn’t want to use the word ‘old age’”
Futurist, Economist, Author Ufuk Tarhan, drawing attention to new trends in aging, said, “The world, as a trend, doesn’t want to use the word ‘old age’. Data related to age is not favored due to its negative association with aging. Because aging brings many negative preconceptions and categorizations. Such as, if you are old, you are infirm, you are nearing the end of your life, you are unproductive, you are needy… Preconceptions made for young people should also be changed. The issue of old age will transform into long life, and data related to young people will also change significantly influenced by this.”
Ufuk Tarhan stated that the world has a serious problem and a need for revision regarding the issue of age, and said:
“We must urgently plan this. The first step we need to take is to cast a different perspective on the issue of age and aging. We are moving forward in an integrated system, and accordingly, we must reconsider these issues and produce solutions. So, what is done at what age? Since people will now live up to 100 years, and those aged 60-70-80 will work, then let young people be relieved from the stress of finishing school at 20 and working, growing up quickly. We can re-evaluate what should be done at what age. Young people should not age quickly, nor should the elderly be treated as if they will soon depart for the other side.”
Plaques were presented and a group photo was taken
Following the speeches, a group photo was taken with the participants, and plaques were presented to Hamza Cebeci, Prof. Dr. Hulusi Keçeci, Ufuk Tarhan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamza Kurtkapan, and Dr. Lecturer Fatma Sıla Ayan.
At the symposium, Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan from Üsküdar University/Psychology Department presented on “Psychological Well-being in the Elderly”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamza Kurtkapan from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa presented on “Social Implications of Population Aging in Turkey”, Dr. Lecturer Baver Demircan from Üsküdar University/Philosophy Department presented on “A Philosophical Approach to Aging”, Dr. Lecturer Fatma Sıla Ayam from Gelişim University/Gerontology Department presented on “Aging and Gerontological Transcendence”, and Dr. Lecturer Aydan Akkurt Yalçıntürk from Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences/Nursing Department presented on “The Use of Innovative Approaches in Elderly Care”.