Marches for the elderly will be held in 81 provinces on World Elderly Day

Minister Göktaş reminded that the theme of the 2026 World Older Persons' Day was determined by the United Nations as "The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives" and stated that increasing life expectancy requires new approaches in all areas of society.

Reminding that they organize various events that support the participation of elderly individuals in social life every year within the scope of "1 October World Elderly Day", Göktaş noted that after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared 2019 as the "Year of the Elderly", the 1st Council on Old Age was held, and in the ongoing process, the issue of old age was discussed together with family structure and demographic change within the scope of the "Year of Pensioners", "Year of the Family" and "Decade of Family and Population".

Göktaş pointed out that workshops were held in 81 provinces within the scope of the Field Research on Old Age in 2025, and reminded that the 2nd Council on Old Age was held in April 2026.

Stating that they have implemented different service models to support elderly individuals along with their families and social circles, Göktaş continued as follows:

"With Home Care Assistance, we support 107 thousand 731 elderly people with their families, and we meet the personal care needs of 132 thousand 880 elderly citizens with our National Loyalty Program. We reached 173 thousand 103 elderly citizens within the scope of the Elderly Support Program (YADES). We increase our elderly people's access to lifelong learning opportunities at 34 Refreshment Universities, and we offer services to keep our elderly people's ties with life strong at 43 Day Active Life Centers. To our Ministry 14 thousand 621 elderly people benefit from care services in 179 nursing homes affiliated with other institutions, 1204 elderly people in 18 nursing homes belonging to other public institutions, and 14 thousand 214 elderly people in 296 nursing homes belonging to private institutions. This year, efforts are continuing to open 8 new nursing homes. In addition, Bocce events are organized in all our nursing homes in order to support the elderly individuals living in nursing homes to live a healthy and active life, and so far there are 8 elderly people in the nursing homes. Bocce Tournament was organized."

Emphasizing the importance of elderly individuals' access to technology, Göktaş said that in this context, 1923 elderly individuals were given digital and financial literacy training and 31 Digital Spring Rooms were created.

Minister Göktaş stated that the marches, which will start simultaneously at 11:00 in 81 provinces on "1 October World Elderly Day", will be carried out under the coordination of Provincial Directorates, in cooperation with governorships, local governments, relevant public institutions and organizations, universities and non-governmental organizations.

Stating that the walking routes throughout the country will be chosen from accessible, safe and recreational areas to facilitate the participation of elderly individuals, Göktaş said, "We will draw attention to the importance of intergenerational solidarity with the walks we will hold simultaneously in 81 provinces on October 1, World Elderly Day. We support the participation of our elderly, who are the bridge between our past and our future, in social life, and continue our work to strengthen the understanding of healthy and active aging."

Source: TRT Haber Yaşam RSS (Open Press / Translated Full Text)