Browse Ageing Policies

The Ministry of Family and Social Services put forward the Ageing Vision Document with the contributions and participation of relevant public institutions, civil society organizations and academics. This document sets out the vision of "Building a society for all ages where older persons can realize their rights, receive services in line with their needs and demands, and pass on their life experiences to future generations". Meanwhile, the first National Action Plan on the Rights of Older Persons, the implementation tool for 2023–2025, aiming to implement rights-based policies and services in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders under the coordination of the Ministry, was shared with the public on April 29, 2023. A circular on the National Action Plan on the Rights of Older Persons (2023–2025), aiming to implement rights-based policies and services in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, was prepared and delivered to the Presidency to be published in the Official Gazette as a Presidential Circular. Considering the age-related needs of older persons, 183 activities determined within the scope of 51 action areas for 16 goals is to be implemented. In this context, it is envisaged to carry out activities within the scope of the action area of strengthening mental health services for older persons.

The main objective of the Social Inclusion for Persons with Mental Disabilities Project, funded by the European Union IPA II, coordinated by the World Health Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Health, is to contribute to social inclusion efforts for persons with mental disabilities through quality community-based support services. It started to be implemented with the agreement signed in July 2018. One of the various activities carried out within the scope of the project is the "Annual Conference 3 and Second Meeting of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition Local Action Regional Exchange". The conference, which was held in Ankara on November 23-24, 2022 as a hybrid, focused on four thematic areas: "mental health leadership", "mental health and well-being of older persons", "mental health in emergencies" and "transformation of mental health services". With parallel sessions focusing on different topics, the aim was to enable participants to participate in discussions about areas of interest and study. A poster area was built where examples of good practices from the Republic of Türkiye and the countries of the European Region were presented. Expected outcomes of the project include: 1) Establishment and implementation of a national model for community-based care services for persons with mental disabilities. 2) Policymaking, planning, implementation, and regulation of services for persons with mental disabilities based on evidence. 3) Creating modules on person-centred approach to increase the competent workforce applying evidence-based treatment methods in the care of persons with mental disabilities.

The plan was developed to strengthen preventive and primary mental health services and to improve detection of psychological disorders that intensify in older age through the provision of community-based and holistic mental health services. The plan includes activities to ensure coordination with primary care services, community-based services, social care services. It also aims to develop programmes to strengthen the mental health of older persons with psychological disorders that intensify with age such as anxiety and depression and cognitive disorders directly related to ageing such as dementia, and to customize and strengthen available programmes in accordance with the needs of the individual.

The project Care and Rehabilitation Support Service for Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons Affected by the Earthquake was developed by the Ministry of Family and Social Services in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Adiyaman and Kahramanmaras. The project aims to ensure the care and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities and older citizens living with their families in container cities affected by the devastating earthquake that occurred across 11 provinces in Türkiye on 6 February 2023. The project includes the establishment of care and rehabilitation units, employment of specialized personnel, and provision of personal care items and essential assistive devices. Mental health services and psychosocial services are provided to persons with disabilities and older persons in need.

The "Survey on the Profile of Older Persons" was conducted for the first time in 2023 in Türkiye by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Family and Social Services (MoFSS). Implemented at the national level, this survey targets older persons to gather concrete data that will inform policy and service development for Türkiye’s ageing population. The survey aims to consolidate existing data and obtain indicators of older persons' welfare, serving as a foundation for creating effective social policies for this population. Key measures include collecting demographic and socio-economic data disaggregated by age and gender to provide insights into older persons’ living conditions. The results of the survey were shared with the public in March 2024. As a result of the Survey, demographic and socio-economic data disaggregated on the basis of age and gender were obtained, which will be the basis for the formulation of social policies for older persons.

The Labour Law (Law No. 4857) of Türkiye has the purpose to regulate the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees regarding working conditions and the work environment. The main stakeholders involved are employers, employees, and employer representatives. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security oversees the implementation and enforcement of the law. This law applies to all workplaces, employers, and employees, except for specific exceptions such as maritime and air transport, agricultural enterprises with fewer than 50 workers, and family businesses. It covers the entire national territory of Turkey. Article 4 focuses on the exceptions, as the law does not apply to certain jobs and work relationships. Article 5 focuses on the topics of non-discrimination, as the employers cannot discriminate based on language, race, colour, gender, disability, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion, or similar reasons, equal treatment (part-time and full-time employees, as well as those with fixed-term and indefinite contracts, must be treated equally unless there are essential reasons), gender equality (no lower wages for the same or equivalent work based on gender. Protective provisions for gender should not justify lower wages), and on compensations (employees can claim compensation if discriminated against, up to four months' wages, plus any other rights they were deprived of). It was adopted on May 22, 2003, and published in the Official Gazette on June 10, 2003.

The National Action Plan on the Rights of Older Persons (2023–2025) is a strategic initiative by the Government of Türkiye, led by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, in collaboration with various government agencies, local authorities, civil society organizations, and international bodies. It complements the broader Ageing Vision Document, targeting older individuals in Türkiye, particularly those facing challenges related to social services, healthcare, and participation in social and economic life. It aims to mainstream the concepts of ageing and the rights of older persons into the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation processes of policies, programmes, and services. Key measures include establishing specialized healthcare centres for older persons and providing mobile health services in remote areas. These healthcare centres will be equipped with medical facilities and staffed by professionals trained in geriatric care, providing services such as routine check-ups, chronic disease management, and rehabilitation. To ensure accessibility for those in rural or underserved areas, mobile health units will bring essential medical services directly to older persons who may otherwise lack access to care. Additionally, the policy mandates the implementation of age-friendly urban planning initiatives, including the installation of ramps, elevators, and other mobility aids in public spaces and buildings.

The Ageing Vision Document is a strategic framework introduced in 2023 by the Government of Türkiye, guided by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. It is implemented between 2023 and 2025 at the national level, alongside the National Action Plan on the Rights of Older Persons. It aims to ensure that older persons in Türkiye can live dignified, independent, and active lives. It targets older persons who face challenges in accessing social services, healthcare, and participating in social and economic life. Key measures include urban planning initiatives to make public spaces, transportation, and housing more accessible to older persons. This involves installing ramps, elevators, and age-friendly public facilities to help older persons live independently and fully engage in society. The policy also establishes specialized healthcare centres for older persons and provides mobile health services in remote areas to ensure comprehensive and accessible healthcare. Additionally, the policy mandates the creation of emergency response plans, including evacuation procedures that consider the mobility limitations of older persons and establishing specialized shelters to meet their needs during disasters.

The “Parliamentary Research Commission” was established in June 2022 in Türkiye to investigate the problems experienced by older persons in various areas of life and to determine the measures to be taken. During the working process of the Commission, a national-level comprehensive report containing the problems of older persons and solution suggestions for these problems was prepared. This report was presented by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) in 2023, compiled by a special parliamentary commission formed by members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, including various stakeholders from governmental bodies, academics, NGOs, and experts. It targets older persons in Türkiye, particularly those experiencing difficulties in accessing healthcare, social services, and facing discrimination in various spheres of life. It identifies challenges faced by older persons in Türkiye, including social exclusion, difficulties accessing healthcare and social services, digital illiteracy, and economic insecurity. It provided key recommendations which include promoting active ageing, creating age-friendly environments, strengthening legal protections, and encouraging policy coordination among government, NGOs, and the private sector. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure effective policy implementation and advocates for public education campaigns to raise awareness about older persons' rights.

The Digital Spring Project, initiated in 2021 and ongoing, is led by the Ministry of Family and Social Services at the national level in Türkiye. It targets older persons in nursing homes across the country, aiming to increase the participation of older persons and their families in social life, enhance their independent living skills through digital technology, and encourage practices that improve quality of life. Key measures include free, voluntary digital literacy training. The training project was launched in 5 pilot nursing homes in Istanbul in 2021 and has expanded to 43 provinces by September 2023, helping 1,923 older persons receive digital and financial literacy training under the ministry. It also established 10 "Digital Spring Rooms" in 9 nursing homes. In these rooms, older persons can actively use technology tools and the Internet to meet, see, and hear the voices and images of their distant loved ones.

The purpose of Article 5 of the Labour Law No. 4857, titled “Principle of Equal Treatment”, is to ensure non-discrimination in employment based on language, race, colour, gender, disability, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion, and similar reasons. The article – and the law in general – involves employers and employees in all sectors, with oversight by relevant labour authorities. This article applies to all employment relationships within Türkiye, covering both full-time and part-time workers, as well as those on fixed-term and indefinite contracts. Key features include prohibiting discrimination in hiring, working conditions, and termination based on gender or pregnancy. It mandates equal pay for equal work regardless of gender and allows employees to claim compensation for violations. Employers must adhere to these regulations, and employees can seek redress through legal channels if discrimination occurs. Specific measures targeting older persons are not mentioned. The policy was adopted on February 6, 2014.

The Home Care Assistance Regulation has the purpose to establish the procedures and principles for providing home care assistance to individuals with disabilities who require care, as outlined in the Social Services Law No. 2828. The policy is implemented by the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. It applies to individuals with disabilities whose household income per capita is less than two-thirds of the monthly net minimum wage. It covers home care assistance for these individuals across Türkiye. Some of the main features of the policy are its eligibility criteria (individuals must have a health report indicating their need for care and must be unable to perform daily activities independently), caregiver requirements (caregivers must be 18 years or older and can be a relative or legal guardian), financial assistance (monthly payments are made to caregivers based on a specific calculation involving the civil servant monthly coefficient). The policy includes regular assessments and reports by a designated committee to ensure compliance and effectiveness. It also features provisions for older individuals who are dependent on others for daily activities, ensuring they receive the necessary home care support. The policy was adopted on May 26, 2023.