HOMECARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY: TURKEY'S PERSPECTIVE.

Homecare is a service that provides examination, observation, treatment, medical care and rehabilitation to the individuals in need and also social and psychological support services to family members as a whole by a professional team. The majority of these individuals in need of help are women over the age of 65. It has been suggested that patients with hypertension, diabetes, stroke, fracture, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and joint and neurological disorders benefit the most from the services provided. Healthcare personnel mostly provide services in examination, medicine, injection, catheterization and wound care. Homecare has no international standards and countries provide it in accordance with their own sociocultural standards. In world health report 2000 by World Health Organization, the care of people with long term health problems and in need of help in their daily life activities were emphasized. Homecare is based on birth accompanied by midwives. Influenced by the care service a nurse gave to her husband at home, visiting nurse services were established by British anthropologist William Rathbone for patients with poor socioeconomic status. The Law on the Socialization of Health Services in Turkey was enacted in 1961. It was stated here that home healthcare is the responsibility of the public health nurse. The current directive entered into force in 2010. According to this; service can be provided by Family practice, home health service units established within hospitals, mobile teams of health directorates. By providing health services at patients' homes, it becomes possible to facilitate the access to preventive health services, to reduce unnecessary hospital stay, to prevent hospital infections, and to be mentally peaceful at home. Considering the increasing need for home care, it is significant to address possible problems as soon as possible, to eliminate legal deficiencies, to ensure private and public cooperation, and to give responsibility to local governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]