ECOLOGICAL GERONTOLOGY EVENT IN MENTEŞE WITH THE GOAL OF BECOMING AN ELDERLY-FRIENDLY CITY

Hamle Newspaper / December 12, 2025

To read the news: https://www.hamlegazetesi.com.tr

Menteşe Municipality organized an “Ecological Gerontology and Aging Event” with the aim of creating an elderly-friendly and sustainable city.

The first meeting in the field of gerontology in Muğla took place in Menteşe, at the Türkan Saylan Contemporary Life Center in Menteşe District of Muğla, under the leadership of Menteşe Municipality, in cooperation with the National Social and Applied Gerontology Association and related foundations.

A large meeting themed "Ecological Gerontology and Aging" was organized under the leadership of Menteşe Municipality, in cooperation with the National Social and Applied Gerontology Association and related foundations. This event reveals the vision of addressing aging not only biologically but also socially, environmentally, and ecologically. The program examines the multifaceted dynamics of healthy aging and intergenerational interaction at both theoretical and practical levels through discussions presented by experts from scientific, medical, and legal perspectives.

Following the opening speech by Professor Dr. İsmail Tufan, Founding Head of the Gerontology Department at Akdeniz University and Founder and President of the National Association of Social and Applied Gerontology, Dr. Özlem Özgür stated in her speech that aging is not solely biological, saying, “As we age, the opportunities and support offered by our environment are vital for us to lead a peaceful and independent life. In recent years, gerontology has strongly acknowledged the significant impact of spatial and social environmental conditions on the independence and well-being of individuals in the field of aging. This new approach is evident not only in the addition of ecological models to biological and social aging theories but also in the increasing number of environmentally focused research questions and empirical studies on this subject. Ecological gerontology recognizes that the aging process and the experience of old age are not solely due to the individual's biological, social, or temporal characteristics, but also that the physical and social environments in which individuals carry out their daily lives influence this process.” He emphasized that it plays a key role in shaping life. The saying "It is the environment that sustains humans" largely reflects the essence of this approach. In today's event, where we can address aging not only from its biological, social, and psychological aspects but also from many factors such as education and environment, I hope that you will return home with information that will both change your perceptions of aging and allow you to look at it from a different perspective in the future," he said.

“We have no material or moral expectations whatsoever.”

Speaking on behalf of the National Association of Social and Applied Gerontology, Gülsima Ağıldere Baykal emphasized that their association is entirely volunteer-based. Ağıldere stated:

“Our association is also a member of the International Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics, one of the world's leading and effective organizations. The aim of our association is to support studies on aging and gerontology in the light of gerontology, to improve the quality of life of elderly individuals, to raise awareness about aging in society in order to eliminate age discrimination, and to support the institutionalization of gerontology. While doing this, we also have goals such as supporting lifelong learning, providing consultancy to municipalities, making institutions and organizations age-friendly, conducting awareness campaigns, organizing events against neglect, abuse, and violence against the elderly, and bringing gerontology and geriatrics together. Our association carries out all its work on a voluntary basis. In other words, we have no material or moral expectations whatsoever in return for the work we do. We hope that today's event will be beneficial and enjoyable for everyone present.”

Özlem Uzman, a member of the Founding Board and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the EGET Foundation, stated that the establishment of a gerontology department at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University is important, saying, “The strong support of our Mayor of Menteşe, Ms. Gonca Köksal Aras, the expertise of the National Social and Applied Gerontology Association, and the support given by the Hasbahçe Foundation to the healthy aging studies and preparation process have made it possible for you to come together here today. On this occasion, I would especially like to state that we find the establishment of a gerontology department at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University extremely valuable. The presence of Professor Dr. Sibel Arguvanlı Çoban, Head of the Gerontology Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences, who is with us today, makes this meeting even more meaningful. I hope that today's talks, workshops, and exhibition will open new doors, however small, in all of our minds and hearts.”

“We laid the groundwork for this perspective in Muğla.”

Stating that improving the quality of life for the elderly can be achieved through coordinated collaborations, Ms. Ayşe Eyikoğlu Pulhan, Chairperson of the Hasbahçe Foundation Board of Directors, said the following in her statement:

“Improving the quality of life for the elderly, and most importantly ensuring its sustainability, is only possible through multi-stakeholder and coordinated collaborations ranging from central government to local administrations, global organizations, and civil society. Just as there is no single type of elderly person, there is no single model of elderly care. Preparing for old age, like any stage of life, is not a simple matter that can be solved solely by those experiencing that stage. This is a long-term issue requiring creativity, flexibility, and the development of localized solutions. Considering that the elderly population will increase every year, lawmakers, public administrators, local governments, academia, and civil society must begin to work together immediately and decisively to find solutions for the elderly, coordinating and cooperating with each other. We have already laid the groundwork for this perspective in Muğla.”

“Muğla’s population is aging even more”

Menteşe Mayor Gonca Köksal, stating that Muğla’s population is aging, said:

“We are all born as babies. Then we grow, become children, young adults. Then we become adults, and then…” We are getting older. This life cycle applies to all of us. We all experience all these processes. Our population is aging, and the population of Turkey is aging even more. The population of Muğla is aging even more. As you know, they declared 2025 as the Year of the Family, and therefore we frequently met with public institutions and discussed these issues. The situation in Muğla is very dire. Nobody wants to have children. The birth rate has dropped significantly. Our population is aging. The population of Muğla is seriously approaching [a certain age], and in a very short time, one-fifth of our population will be elderly. Now, this stands before us as a reality. Muğla also has this difference compared to other provinces of Türkiye. We are making more spatial arrangements. A disabled access ramp we built actually caters to many segments of society. It's not just a project for the disabled. Today will be a very enjoyable event. We will both gain knowledge and increase our awareness about aging. Science is here, movement is here, joy is here, experience is here, music is here, nature is here. I thank everyone who contributed, my esteemed elders who participated, and all of you, my teachers, for your participation.”