Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes

İrem Kıraç Utku; Burcu Kurnaz; Hakan Küçük; Mahmut Hakan Şahin; Büşra Aybike Kumcu; Gökmen Özceylan; Elif Aktaş; Hamide Gider; Duygu Baydere; Nezahat Müge Çatıkkaş; Tuğba Erdoğan

doi:10.47582/jompac.1861483

Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, multidisciplinary service utilization, and psychosocial experiences of older adults receiving care from a community-based Healthy Aging Centre (YAŞAM) in Turkiye. Methods: This mixed-methods study included adults aged ≥75 years who received services between August 2023 and August 2025. Quantitative data from 383 participants were analyzed to describe sociodemographics, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment findings, and patterns of multidisciplinary service use. For the qualitative component, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight purposefully selected participants and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic approach. Results: Participants were predominantly very old adults with multimorbidity, moderate frailty, and partial dependence in daily activities. Dietitian, physiotherapy, psychology, and social work services were used more frequently by individuals with malnutrition risk, IADL dependency, frailty, depressive symptoms, or limited social support. Older age alone (≥80 years) did not predict higher service utilization. Thematic analysis revealed six key themes: satisfaction and gratitude; feelings of safety and support; feeling valued and respected; loneliness and the need for socialization; acceptance of aging; and inner change and self-awareness. Emotional security, accessible support, and respectful communication emerged as core strengths of the model. Conclusion: The YAŞAM model meets both medical and psychosocial needs by providing integrated, community-based geriatric care, reinforcing safety, dignity, and social connectedness. These findings highlight the value of multidisciplinary, community oriented services in supporting functional and emotional well-being in aging populations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Sancaktepe Martyr Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Training and Research Hospital Approval No: 2025/433.

Thanks

None

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Family Medicine, Aged Health Care

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

İrem Kıraç Utku ^*
0000-0003-3806-5291
Türkiye

Burcu Kurnaz
0009-0000-9556-0366
Türkiye

Hakan Küçük
0009-0001-6969-8182
Türkiye

Mahmut Hakan Şahin
0000-0001-5630-9187
Türkiye

Büşra Aybike Kumcu
0000-0001-8745-6972
Türkiye

Gökmen Özceylan
0000-0002-2388-4158
Türkiye

Elif Aktaş
0009-0008-6194-1919
Türkiye

Hamide Gider
0009-0008-4426-9729
Türkiye

Duygu Baydere
0009-0003-6863-6267
Türkiye

Nezahat Müge Çatıkkaş
0000-0003-2494-1625
Türkiye

Tuğba Erdoğan
0000-0001-8690-0189
Türkiye

Publication Date

February 20, 2026

Submission Date

January 12, 2026

Acceptance Date

February 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1861483

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27SN53GW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kıraç Utku, İ., Kurnaz, B., Küçük, H., Şahin, M. H., Kumcu, B. A., Özceylan, G., Aktaş, E., Gider, H., Baydere, D., Çatıkkaş, N. M., & Erdoğan, T. (2026). Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(1), 85-93. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1861483

AMA

1.Kıraç Utku İ, Kurnaz B, Küçük H, et al. Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(1):85-93. doi:10.47582/jompac.1861483

Chicago

Kıraç Utku, İrem, Burcu Kurnaz, Hakan Küçük, et al. 2026. “Evaluating a Healthy Ageing Centre in Turkiye: A Mixed-Methods Study of Clinical Needs, Service Utilization, and Psychosocial Outcomes”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (1): 85-93. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1861483.

EndNote

Kıraç Utku İ, Kurnaz B, Küçük H, Şahin MH, Kumcu BA, Özceylan G, Aktaş E, Gider H, Baydere D, Çatıkkaş NM, Erdoğan T (February 1, 2026) Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 1 85–93.

IEEE

[1]İ. Kıraç Utku et al., “Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 85–93, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1861483.

ISNAD

Kıraç Utku, İrem - Kurnaz, Burcu - Küçük, Hakan - Şahin, Mahmut Hakan - Kumcu, Büşra Aybike - Özceylan, Gökmen - Aktaş, Elif et al. “Evaluating a Healthy Ageing Centre in Turkiye: A Mixed-Methods Study of Clinical Needs, Service Utilization, and Psychosocial Outcomes”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/1 (February 1, 2026): 85-93. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1861483.

JAMA

1.Kıraç Utku İ, Kurnaz B, Küçük H, Şahin MH, Kumcu BA, Özceylan G, Aktaş E, Gider H, Baydere D, Çatıkkaş NM, Erdoğan T. Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:85–93.

MLA

Kıraç Utku, İrem, et al. “Evaluating a Healthy Ageing Centre in Turkiye: A Mixed-Methods Study of Clinical Needs, Service Utilization, and Psychosocial Outcomes”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 85-93, doi:10.47582/jompac.1861483.

Vancouver

1.İrem Kıraç Utku, Burcu Kurnaz, Hakan Küçük, Mahmut Hakan Şahin, Büşra Aybike Kumcu, Gökmen Özceylan, Elif Aktaş, Hamide Gider, Duygu Baydere, Nezahat Müge Çatıkkaş, Tuğba Erdoğan. Evaluating a healthy ageing centre in Turkiye: a mixed-methods study of clinical needs, service utilization, and psychosocial outcomes. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026 Feb. 1;7(1):85-93. doi:10.47582/jompac.1861483