2SANKO University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, GAZÄ°ANTEP Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of individuals that live in the eastern and western parts of Turkey towards ageism and aging.
Materials and Method: Participants of this descriptive study were convenience sampling method selected and the sample comprises 575 participants between the ages 18 and 50 (Erzurum 432, Ä°zmir 143). The data were collected through Ageism Attitude Scale and demographic form. The data were evaluated in a statistics programme using t-test, mean and percentage calculations.
Results: Results showed that the mean total scale score of individuals for Ä°zmir was
68.76±8.74, whereas that for Erzurum was 68.66±6.72. Moreover, the results suggested that
both these cities have a positive attitude towards ageism. No significant difference was found
between scale subscales and the total score averages (p > 0.05) between these two cities.
Individuals living in Izmir stated that they have associated elderliness with compassion, illness
and weakness; whereas, individuals living in Erzurum associated elderliness with illness,
wisdom and commitment.