Quality of life in an ageing society

The aim of this study is to bring into focus the living conditions of the older adults in Turkey by using quality of life (QoL) criteria through which to highlight dimensions relating to their QoL status in comparison to other age cohorts. Are there specific QoL issues among older adults that would indicate that they display systematic differences in comparison to other age cohorts in Turkey? To what extent are there gender differences among older adults in QoL status? Data from the EQLS conducted in 2007 provided the information for understanding the self-reported conditions of older adults. Analysis shows that, for historical and contemporary reasons, older adults in Turkey form a disadvantaged cohort compared to other groups. The level of deprivation among a large segment of older adults is noteworthy in terms of income, health, material living conditions and social relations. Moreover, current social policies are blind to the low level of welfare, cultural capital, and connectedness of older women, resulting in unacceptable levels of alienation, unhappiness, and marginal status.