Vocational School of Justice
THE ELDERLY BECAME UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT IUE!
The elderly people who live at Narlıdere Huzurevi Yaşlı Bakım ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi (Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Centre) became students of Izmir University of Economics as part of celebrating ‘Respect the Elderly Week’. The elderly sat at the desks with students and headed back in time to remember their school days. They listened to the presentations of Prof. Dr. Erol Kahveci, Head of Department of Sociology, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuran Aydemir Çaylı, Lecturer at Department of Psychology, along with students at the event that was organized by Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Psychology Club, and shared their experiences in an interactive lecture. They had a coffee break at the cafeteria and chatted after the class was over.
Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Director of IUE Vocational School of Health Services, stated that based on the data provided by Turkish Statistical Institute, population ages 65 and over was 7.5% in 2012, and that number was expected to reach 10.2% in 2013. Prof. Dr. Şemin said, “In addition to the requirement for elderly people benefitting from health services more, their need for help to maintain mental and social health also increase.”
Prof. Dr. Erol Kahveci, Head of Department of Sociology, stated that the elderly were our social memory and that they should be treasured for that reason. He said that as the people aged, they became much better at creating balance between emotional behaviour toward social environment and behaviour based on rational thinking. They got involved in verbal disputes less and became more creative in finding solutions for conflicts. “They can control their emotions much better. They are able to focus on their emotions that are significant then, rather than long-term objectives. They identify their strengths and weaknesses better and direct their interest accordingly. I believe that the idea that the world would become a much happier place as the world population gets older is an issue to discuss,” said Prof. Dr. Kahveci.
‘What you plant now, you will harvest later’
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuran Aydemir Çaylı, Lecturer at Department of Psychology, also stated that those who exercised regularly, ate healthy, and stayed away from smoking and drinking, lived more. Assoc. Prof. Çaylı said, “Doing exercises as you get older prevents illnesses. Active elderly are more satisfied with life and they stay healthy.”
‘Learn new information to protect your health’
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çaylı made the following recommendations:
“Everything done in young ages eases life in the old ages, just like harvest season. Learning a new language, playing chess protects the minds in reality. And so many people tell the elderly 'what’s the use of doing that'. Such discouragements need to be ignored. People need to be in touch with their friends. The elderly needs to have a purpose in life. These all have a protective effect. The more an individual has control over their life, the better they feel. Their perception of health is important. People with beliefs do not break down easily. Going to the mosque is such a big exercise for males. It has been found out that those who go to mosque use their beliefs better.”
Shared their experiences with the young through poems
During the lectures, the elderly read poems on life experiences, and shared their opinions. After the lecture, Psychology Club President Gizem Naz Gezgin and students presented flowers to the residents of Narlıdere Huzurevi Yaşlı Bakım ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi (Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Centre). After that, the guests recalled their younger days at the University cafeteria.