Old Age in Rural Area: The Case of Kadirli District of Osmaniye

Abstract

Today, with the change in living conditions depending on scientific and technological developments, the life expectancy of people in the World and Turkey has increased, and the elderly population has increased numerically and proportionally. In the process of Demographic Transformation, a rapid urbanization process has entered our country as a result of migration from rural to urban, and these population movements have changed the role and status of elderly people living in rural or urban areas while changing family structure. However, there are almost no studies on rural aging, especially in terms of agricultural activities. For this reason, the study, in the Kadirli district example, it is aimed to reveal the current situation and problems focused on the physical, environmental, health, and life quality status of the elderly condensed in rural areas, and also to reveal the situation of their agricultural activities. The research data were compiled using quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques and individual interviews were conducted with a total of 700 people aged 65 and over. As a result of the research, it has been determined that elderly individuals in the rural areas of Kadirli have multidimensional problems.