Hande Kirisik Surer

This study aims to examine the metaphorical perceptions of caregivers of older adults receiving palliative care services regarding the anticipatory grief process. Designed within a hermeneutic phenomenological orientation and analyzed through thematic analysis, data were collected from 80 caregivers through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis utilized metaphor analysis and thematic analysis methods. The findings are structured across two main axes: “metaphorical perceptions regarding grieving” and “metaphorical perceptions regarding being a grieving individual.” While participants conceptualized the experience of grief through intense emotional flux, a depletion of self, and a permanent emotional burden, they also associated it with processes of acceptance, adaptation, and spiritual coping. The results demonstrate that anticipatory grief is a process involving emotional transformation, identity shifts, and existential restructuring. The study emphasizes that metaphor analysis is a significant tool that can be used for the early identification of complicated/prolonged grief risk and points to the necessity of strengthening psychosocial supports for caregivers in palliative care.

Objectives: The study aims to conduct a systematic review of peer‐reviewed articles about psychosocial interventions to reduce the caregiver burden in family caregivers of people with dementia to explore the effectiveness and the type of intervention and methodology used. Methods: Five databases were searched (AgeLine, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed) for studies reporting on experimental research of psychosocial interventions for dementia‐related caregiver burden. Data quality checks were completed for included papers. Results: Forty‐three studies were included in the analysis; about half of them ( n = 24) were randomized controlled trials. The types of interventions most often used were psychoeducation ( n = 21) and multi‐component interventions ( n = 12). The caregiver burden was after the intervention successfully reduced in about half of the studies ( n = 19). Additionally, 10 studies had success in reducing caregiving burden in one of several assessment measures used. The studies using psychoeducation (57%) and multi‐component (58%) intervention approaches had the highest success rates. Conclusion: Health professionals should be encouraged to implement psychosocial interventions for caregivers of patients with dementia.

Gümüş ekonomi, özellikle 50 yaş ve üzeri nüfusun gereksinimleri doğrultusunda hazırlanan ve kapsayıcı ürün ve hizmetleri içeren bir ekonomik alan olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Gümüş ekonomi kavramı, yaşlanan nüfusun oluşturduğu zorluklarla başa çıkmaya çalışırken daha fazla dikkat çekmektedir. Geleneksel literatür incelemesi yöntemi ile hazırlanan bu çalışma, yaşlanan nüfusun zorluklarını ve fırsatlarını değerlendirmek ve Türkiye’nin gümüş ekonomi potansiyeline açıklık getirmek hedefiyle hazırlanmıştır. Yaşlı nüfusun ekonomik alanda hem tüketici hem de iş gücü rolü, birçok sektörü değişime zorlamaktadır. Bu da yeni pazar fırsatları doğurmaktadır. Bu derleme çalışması, dünya ülkelerinde ve Türkiye’de, gümüş ekonominin sağlık, turizm, bakım vb. sektörlerdeki etkilerini tartışmaktadır. Gümüş ekonomide yaşlanan nüfusla birlikte ortaya çıkan iş gücü daralması ve sağlık hizmetlerine yönelik artış, zorluklar arasında değerlendirilirken; dijitalleşme, girişimcilik ve yeni iş modelleri gibi büyük fırsatlar da bulunmaktadır. Türkiye’nin yaşlı bir toplum olması ve hızlı bir şekilde yaşlanmaya devam etmesi; sosyal güvenlik ve bakım gibi sektörleri zorlarken, gümüş ekonominin büyümesi için de büyük fırsatlar sunmaktadır.

Studies on elderly individuals tends to focus on the problems of aging and how to deal with them. On the other hand, a limited number of studies have looked at positive emotions of elderly individuals. Positive emotions play an important role in overcoming problems when integrated with prevention, treatment and coping strategies. The positive psychology approach is closely related to positive emotions and works to understand and improve the positive aspects of life. Positive psychology interventions defined as interventions designed to develop positive emotions, cognitions and behaviors and included practices such as gratitude, forgiveness, life review therapy, reminiscence and self-management. The aim of this review is to identify the general characteristics of the interventions used in studies of positive psychology interventions and how they affect elderly people. In this context, the conceptual and methodological characteristics of the studies and their effects on elderly people were discussed by analysing the studies that directly addressed positive interventions for elderly people. In line with the findings of the analysed studies, suggestions for those working in this field are presented.

As life expectancy increases, various health, psychological, and social problems specific to the elderly arise. Substance use, alcohol, or medications often emerge as commonly preferred solutions among the elderly as a way of coping with these challenges. Consequently, polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, is a frequently observed issue among older adults. It can be said that polypharmacy leads to different addictive behaviors in the elderly. This study evaluates the use of multiple medications, medication misuse, and medication addiction among the elderly from a gerontological perspective. Accordingly, it is crucial to carefully monitor the medication regimens of elderly individuals who are exposed to polypharmacy or long-term medication use. In collaboration with physicians and gerontologists, detailed information about the elderly's illnesses, treatment processes, risks of polypharmacy, medication side effects, medication adherence, and follow-up should be provided, along with thorough education for both the patient and their relatives. This will help reduce the risk of addiction or misuse among elderly individuals. Gerontologists can conduct a holistic health assessment and closely monitor the effects of medications on the elderly in their home/institutional, family, and social life processes. Thus, in cooperation with gerontologists and physicians, the risk of medication misuse and addiction in the elderly can be minimized.