Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said, "Within the scope of efforts to expand the Elderly Support Program (YADES) throughout the country, we have received a total of 60 new project applications from 27 provincial and 33 district municipalities. The evaluation process of 60 projects, which we plan to provide 6.205.000 TL of support, continues. Following the completion of the evaluation process, we will share the new projects we support with the public."

In a statement made on the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, Minister Göktaş stated that the ratio of the population over the age of 65, defined as "older", was approximately 10 % of the total population in Türkiye, while this ratio was to reach 25.6 % in 2080, "These rates indicate that one out of every 4 person will be 65 years of age or older. In line with this foresight, the Ministry is carrying out many activities to expand home care and day care services for older persons and to emphasize policies supporting the care of older persons at home and with their families. With the "Integrated Care Model" supporting family-oriented care that is implemented, we apply institutional care, home care allowance, home care support and day care models according to the needs of older persons."

Göktaş said, "The older persons, serving as a bridge between the past and the present, are the most important values enriching the society and providing cultural transfer" and continued, "It is the primary duty of the Ministry to remember older persons not only on this particular day, but to remember them always, and to make them feel like they are not alone. I would like to express once again the reverence and respect we have for each of those who guide us at every stage of life."

"We supported 135.954 older persons aged 60 and over"

Stating that family-oriented care services for older persons would continue to be updated and improved according to the changing demographic structure, Minister Göktaş said:
"Within the scope of Home Care Allowance, which we prioritize to ensure that older persons receive care services with their families, we have supported 135.954 older persons aged 60 and over in January-September of this year, taking into account the disability conditions arising with age. Within the scope of Home Care Allowance, which has been increased to 5.097 TL for July-December of 2023, we support citizens who take care of persons with disabilities in need with cash payments every month. Of the 566.688 persons receiving support, 135.954 are aged 60 and over."

"The evaluation process of 60 projects is ongoing"

Göktaş reminded that the Elderly Support Program (YADES), which started to be implemented in 2016 and continued to be implemented, was the first support program with the largest budget in ageing with the resources transferred from the general budget and added, "We have provided a total of 39 million TL financial support so far with YADES program, which supports the projects prepared by municipalities to help with home care support and day care services so that older persons can continue their lives in their own homes, next to their families. With 61 different projects prepared by 35 municipalities, we have reached 128.323 older persons in 87.629 households and provided home care support, psycho-social support and cultural activity services. Within the scope of efforts to expand YADES across the country, we have received a total of 60 new project applications from 27 provincial and 33 district municipalities. The evaluation process of 60 projects, for which we plan to provide 6.205.000 TL support, is ongoing. Following the completion of the evaluation process, we will share the new projects supported with the public."

"Day Care and Active Living Centers have been implemented"

Noting that Day Care and Active Living Centers were implemented in order to facilitate the lives of healthy older persons living alone at home or continuing their lives with their families and relatives as well as to improve their quality of life, Minister Göktaş continued as follows:
 "In the centers where support services are provided in daily life activities, activity groups are established according to the interests of older persons. The activities organized contribute to enriching social relations and improving their quality of life. With these centers, which have so far provided services to 538 older persons in 38 centers across Türkiye, we aim to encourage older persons to stay with their families, to encourage their active participation in social life and to ensure that they are healthier psycho-socially. We aim to expand the centers across the country."