Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Darülaceze Müessese Müdürlüğü, İSTANBUL
Ä°stanbul Ãœniversitesi Ä°stanbul Tıp Fakültesi Halk SaÄŸlığı Anabilim Dalı – Ä°STANBUL Urbanization and industrialization in Turkey has resulted in important changes in family structures especially in large cities. The elderly is the most affected group from the fast transition from the patriarchal family structure to modern family structure. The elderly who have had a prominent position in the family for many years have started to be a burden with hardening of urban living conditions. This situation is more prominent in countries where the economic conditions are not favorable. The elderly person can no more share the economic and spiritual life load of the family. This condition causes the loss of sincere feelings and the weakening of respect within the family so, the elderly factor which is considered in a sense to be a burden in the family cannot adapt to the new living conditions and the new family model and becomes unhappy. AH these environmental and social issues, problems stemming from rapid urbanization and changes in the behaviors of individuals have necessitated the search for new service models for the elderly. Thus the organization of institutions providing services for the elderly has gained importance. Keywords : Urbanization, Old Age, Services