65+ Elderly Rights Association
In Turkey, people aged 65 and over have been banned from “going out on the streets, walking in open spaces, parks and using public transportation” since March 21. This comprehensive measure was taken due to the particularly severe course of COVID-19 in the elderly.
This measure actually cover everyone, but a series of presuppositions and prejudices about the elderly, such as “they already stay at home”, “they already do not work”, “they are already taken care of by their families”, facilitate the implementation of the “stay at home” call as a “ban” for the elderly.
However, the prolongation of the “curfew” creates problems for 65+ individuals: The most easily visible and observable of these problems is the depressing state of mind caused by the state of “confinement at home”. These conditions may also affect the physical condition of the elderly and may put new pressure on the immune system.
As the 65+ Elderly Rights Association, we assume that home isolation practices, which are the most effective measure against the COVID-19 pandemic, and restrictions on going out will continue in the coming weeks and we find it necessary to make the following recommendations and warnings:
- It should be kept in mind that 65+ individuals are not a monolithic group in terms of their conditions and behaviors, needs, health status and risks. They include those who have to work for a living. The ban decision needs to be reorganized in line with the different situations and needs of this large group.
- Especially for 65+ individuals with special needs due to their cognitive, psychological and physical disorders, it would be appropriate to quickly implement an exception similar to the one introduced for “children and young people with special needs” in the April 9 circular of the Ministry of Interior. With such an arrangement, these people can be enabled to carry out their daily physical activities with their companions when necessary.
- 65+ persons should be allowed to go out at certain times of the day on general curfew days, limited to their own neighborhoods, and observing basic hygiene measures. Provincial and District Pandemic Boards, which are now operational, can regulate the details of this permission by best assessing the needs and conditions in their respective regions.
- With the March 21 circular, a series of measures have been taken to meet the basic needs of the elderly, especially those living alone. These measures are being carried out with great dedication and effort by Governorships, District Governorships, Metropolitan and District Municipalities. However, it seems that these efforts are limited to meeting the basic needs of the elderly, such as medicines, food and cleaning supplies.
However, the essence of the issue is to think about how to protect the total “well-being” of 65+ individuals. The mental, physical and social “well-being” of the elderly should be considered as a whole and should be protected as a whole.
It seems difficult to achieve and sustain this goal only with the efforts of the Governorship, District Governorship and Municipality employees. The participation of civil society organizations and volunteers in this comprehensive mobilization should be ensured and encouraged.
Despite all the remedial arrangements, as long as the pandemic conditions persist, isolation of 65+ individuals at home will be the main protective measure. As this situation prolongs, the responsibility of the close protection circle consisting of family, relatives and neighbors will increase.
People in this circle should think about what they can do for the “well-being” of the elderly, what they can do differently from what they have done so far, and try to find creative new ways: Let’s play games with the elderly, develop hobbies, plant flowers on the balcony, bring birds and cats into the house… But above all, let’s always keep in mind that the elderly are individuals and that they need more than a corner to sit in, a bowl of hot food and a bed to sleep in.