Ageing Population and Elderly Care in the Context of Rural-Urban Relations: The Case of Kastamonu and Sinop

One of the dominant characteristics of Turkey’s population in the 21st century is the high rate of demographic ageing. The elderly population, predominantly situated in rural regions, is significantly affected by outward migration trends and alterations in family dynamics. This article aims to delve into the topic of ageing and elderly care in Turkey, drawing insights from field research conducted in Kastamonu and Sinop, identified as the cities with the highest ratio of elderly population in 2020. The research methodology encompasses four key stages: 1) Reviewing pertinent literature covering relevant concepts; 2) scanning local newspapers in Kastamonu and Sinop between 2015 and 2020 for news articles concerning elderly individuals and ageing; 3) compiling statistics on ageing and migration from diverse sources, predominantly relying on TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute); and 4) conducting field research, which entailed 36 interviews carried out in November 2020. The interviews were conducted across various locations including the city centres of Kastamonu and Sinop, districts such as Taşköprü in Kastamonu and Boyabat in Sinop, as well as several villages. The focus of these interviews centred on topics related to ageing and elderly care. The migration and fertility statistics of these two provinces serve as a starting point for elucidating the demographic causes contributing to the prevailing ageing conditions. Outward migration, depopulation in rural areas, demographic and economic decline within these regions, along with notably lower-than-average fertility rates, collectively stand as fundamental factors shaping the population structure in these provinces. In Kastamonu and Sinop, the evolving dynamics between rural and urban areas, migration patterns, and the existence of multilocality structures significantly has influenced intergenerational support systems in elderly care. In these provinces where the elderly population holds a substantial presence, the traditional role of families in providing elderly care is undergoing transformation, leading to the involvement of other caregiving entities. Apart from the aid and services provided by the public sector, municipalities and the private sector are also delivering new support services for elderly care. Protection mechanisms for the elderly exhibit variations in accordance with the welfare regimes of countries. Within the southern European welfare regime, of which Turkey is considered to be a part, although various services and assistance are available for the health and care requirements of the elderly, they are currently fragmented, partial, and exhibit favouritism in their structure. In the conclusion of the article, the emergence of new dynamics stemming from population ageing and societal shifts in Kastamonu and Sinop is discussed along with the fragmented nature of the welfare regime concerning elderly care. The distribution of roles among family, state, and market actors that impact elderly care is analysed, and several policy recommendations are put forward.