This investigation was performed on 167 elderly people who are 65 years and over living in Yeşilyurt town center in Malatya. The aim of this investigation is to determine health and social problems of elderly population in town and propose the way of solution. Data were obtained by using face to face questionnaire method on elderly who involved sample group. Elderly population in research area comprise 7.7% of total population. 71.9% of them were married and 25.7% were widow. 13.8% of them have lived alone. The proportion of current tobacco smokers are 24.6%, alcohol drinkers 1.2% and all of them are male. More than 70.0% of the elderly could have done daily living activities easily, less than 5% were dependent in one or more basic activities of their daily life. 22.2 percent of elderly have injured last one year period. Home accidents were the most common cause of reported injuries. About 54.5% of the elderly reported having used any medication within one month before the interwiew. Among drugs which are used painkillers and antirheumatic agents were most common (21.0%). Conclusion: Assesment of elderly in primary health care level may be useful and it would provide an integrated (clinical, functional, medical, social) service for elderly. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1997;4(4):418-423]
Key Words: Elderly, health problems, social problems
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