Mersin University Health Services Vocational School's Respect for the Elderly Week: Science, Art, and Experience Together!

A panel organized by Mersin University Health Services Vocational School as part of the 18-24 March Respect for the Elderly Week was held on March 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Nevit Kodallı Hall with a large attendance. The event attracted significant interest from students of the Elderly Care Program, as well as students from Medical Imaging Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques, and Mersin 60+ Refreshment University. Additionally, teachers and students from the Patient and Elderly Care Services department of Fatma Aliye Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School also participated, bringing together participants from different generations and disciplines.

The program began with a moment of silence and the recitation of the National Anthem, followed by a musical performance by artists from the Mersin University State Conservatory. The event, which began with the elegance of art, continued with academic content. The opening speech of the panel was given by our Vocational School Director, Prof. Dr. Gülay ALTUN UĞRAŞ drew attention to the strategic importance of elderly care services. She noted that according to TÜİK's March 2026 data, the proportion of the population over 65 years of age has reached 11.1%, emphasizing that Turkey is now in the "very elderly population" category. Stating that this demographic shift has increased the need for qualified healthcare professionals, ALTUN UĞRAŞ stressed that improving the quality of life for the elderly is a fundamental task. In her speech, Prof. Dr. ALTUN UĞRAŞ announced that the Health Care Services Department has applied for MEDEK accreditation, underlining that accreditation is a guarantee of excellence in education and international standards. She stated that this process confirms the strong academic infrastructure and quality-oriented vision of the Elderly Care program. In the first academic session of the panel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Kübra ÇEKOK, a faculty member at Tarsus University Faculty of Health Sciences, presented on "Digital Technologies and Smart Exercises in Healthy Aging." The presentation discussed the contributions of sensor-based assessment systems, wearable technologies, and digital exercise applications to the functional capacity of elderly individuals in geriatric rehabilitation, in light of scientific data. The role of effective technology use in elderly care services in extending independent living was followed with interest by the students. The second speaker of the panel was PhD. Melek Yeşil BAYÜLGEN. In her presentation titled "The Power of Communication in Elderly Care," she emphasized the importance of empathy, ethical sensitivity, cooperation with the family, and a psychosocial approach in the care process. She pointed out that elderly care is not only a technical application but also a process of strong communication and human contact. One of the most noteworthy parts of the panel was the career interview with alumni. In the session moderated by the Head of the Health Care Services Department, PhD. Yasemin SALKIN, alumni shared their experiences in the field and their professional development processes with the students. Our alumnus Furkan BABAYİĞİT, who works in a nursing home, explained how the emotional bond established with the elderly in an institutional care environment is managed within professional boundaries. Fatma YÜKSEL, an alumna working at the Alzheimer's Association, shared the intricacies of communicating with Alzheimer's patients, the role of family support in the care process, and the coping strategies they developed against burnout. Hafize TUNA, another alumna practicing in Germany, explained the structural differences between the German and Turkish elderly care systems, offering a concrete roadmap for students wishing to work abroad. TUNA's presentation, emphasizing how international experience enhances professional perspectives, was met with great interest from the students. Rojda KARAKAYA, an alumna who continued her education at the Faculty of Nursing after passing the DGS exam, also contributed to the program with a video presentation. The alumni sharing their "I'm so glad I received this education" moments during the career talks was a strong source of motivation, especially for first and second-year students and students of the Patient and Elderly Care Services Department at Fatma Aliye Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. At the end of the program, thank-you certificates were presented to the speakers and alumni by the Director of the Vocational School of Health Services, Prof. Dr. Gülay ALTUN UĞRAŞ, and the Deputy Director PhD. Serdar ULAK.

The panel, which combined scientific content with field experience, once again highlighted the importance of qualified human resources in the face of the reality of an aging population. The Vocational School of Health Services emphasized that it will continue its education and research activities aimed at improving the quality of life of elderly individuals with a quality-oriented approach.