Turkey to supply more assistance to elder care ventures
by Daily Sabah with AA
ISTANBULDec 03, 2014 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Daily Sabah with AA
Dec 03, 2014 12:00 am
Many countries have focused on policies that seek to alleviate the problems of the elderly. Turkey also aims to increase the efficiency of elderly care with new technologies and high-quality nursing homes
Care of the elderly will become more efficient in Turkey by means of remote technology according to Sinan İbiş, President of the Turkish Medical Tourism Association. This is because the "telecare" system will help them to meet their urgent needs and enables efficient communication. The personal alarm system "telecare" consists of a button in the form of a pendant worn around the neck or on the wrist, and a base unit that works with a telephone system. The base unit receives a signal from the pendant, and the user connects to a monitoring center, explained İbiş to Anadolu Agency. Trained operators answer the alarm call any time during the day. The telecare system offers elderly the chance to find immediate assistance via the sensors, and receive physical and psychological support in case of emergencies. They can continue to live in their own home alone, while connected with their families or care-takers.
İbiş said there are almost 135 remote elderly care centers in the U.K., and he underscored the need for provincial authorities to establish similar centers in Turkey as well. Recent remote care technologies diminish the feeling of loneliness at home and meet the urgent needs of the elderly. The alarm system also minimizes risks such as a falling, provides gas leak and flood detection, and informs the receiver about other real-time emergencies and lifestyle changes via the sensors, İbiş continued. Different types of sensors and alarms are available for the system that is connected to a fixed or mobile phone with an integrated gateway.
Pointing to the system's importance, İbiş said telecare is an efficient way to monitor elderly at a relatively low cost. "Thanks to telecare, the elderly people in nursing homes or other care centers can receive more support and easily communicate with others," İbiş reiterated.
"The personal alarm system can be used in case of any emergency. Users can connect to the monitoring center when they are at home or in the garden. Different sensors are installed for different needs," he added. Telecare consists of home or personal health sensors, activity sensors that detect changes in normal behaviors – such as going out late at night - personal sensors that help to relieve the user's anxiety in an emergency and bed or chair-occupancy sensors. Aside from these, carbon monoxide monitors are designed to sense dangerous levels of gas at home and trigger an alarm and epilepsy sensors are used to detect epileptic seizures in bed. The sensor can measure heart rate and breathing patterns, and later send the information to the monitoring center. There are other types of telecare monitors, including fall detectors, fire or smoke alarms, flood detectors, gas shut-off valves, incontinence sensors and thief detectors. Pull-cord alarms can be used when the personal alarm is not worn, while sleeping or bathing.
|
İbiş said international institutions such as the EU and the U.N. are continuously working on policies to resolve the problems of the elderly around the world. Multinational projects are supported to increase the welfare of an increasing elderly population. "Turkey can turn into a brand country by producing multinational information and experience. Instead of being an implementation area, our country has the potential to design similar projects and create a platform with international actors," İbiş stated.
The Medical Tourism Association has been carrying out projects in this field for the last four years. Sponsored by Anadolu Agency and contributed to by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, the Ankara and Hacettepe Universities and the Republic of Turkey Promotion Fund, the "International Senior Spring and Dynamics Congress" will take place from Dec. 15 to 16 in Ankara. "The upcoming congress will initiate a movement to establish more facilities for elder people," İbiş said. The congress will host international names who will share their experiences and knowledge in elderly care. Those who want to be involved in this field, or who want to offer services, training and innovative products, or create technology or a R&D platform can attend the free event. Registration can be completed via the website "www.yaslibakimiturizmi.org."
In addition to remote care technologies, the number of luxury nursing homes has been increasing in recent years. The Turkish Family and Social Policies Ministry is building a six-floor nursing home in Yalova's Çınarcık district. Extending almost 13,000 square meters, the Çınarcık Nursing Home has a spectacular view. Aside from the main building, there are 20 bungalow-style houses. The nursing home has the capacity to provide services to 100 elderly people. The main building features a terrace, rest rooms, prayer rooms and rooms with fireplaces. Bungalow-style houses have a kitchen, bedroom and a restroom, where elderly couples can stay. The north side of the nursing home has a sea view, while the south has forest views.
Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.