Being Elderly in Disasters: Problems Experienced by the Elderly Affected by the February 6th Earthquake

Authors : Şükrü Bardakcı

Pages : 74-89

Doi:10.69514/sosyalsaglik.1774064

View : 27 | Download : 33

Publication Date : 2025-09-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study examined the main challenges and coping strategies faced by older adults after the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Türkiye. During the data collection process, 36 older adults over the age of 65 were interviewed. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. The fact that the participants had to be over 65 years of age and had experienced the February 6, 2023 earthquake was effective in the selection of the purposeful sample. In the study, by using the content analysis method, elderly groups living in different provinces who experienced the February 6 Türkiye earthquake were brought together and the problems experienced after the earthquake were examined, and the perspectives of different participants and their post-earthquake problems were discussed. When we look at the findings, we come to the conclusion that after the earthquake, older adults had difficulties especially in matters such as basic needs (shelter, food, clean water, medicine), disadvantages of being old (mobility), health (panic attacks, fear, anxiety, etc.), while at the same time it was also concluded that it was a factor that supported social unity and solidarity.
Keywords : Depremde yaşlılık, Yaşlıların sorunları, Afet, Türkiye depremi

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