Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality is providing social, cultural and at-home support services through the Older People’s Service Centre and Social Club at the Sümerpark Shared Living Space, with the aim of increasing social participation among residents aged 60 and over.

The Department of Disability and Older People’s Services continues its work to ensure older residents can sustain their lives without being isolated from society. In this context, the Older People’s Service Centre and Social Club operating at the Sümerpark Shared Living Space offers free services to residents aged 60+. Priority is given to residents with no income; however, anyone aged 60 and over living in Diyarbakır can benefit from the centre regardless of their socio-economic status.

The centre organises mind-stimulating activities to support an active and productive life for older residents, including chess and other games that encourage thinking, as well as music and dengbêj performances and cultural trips. Activities that bring different generations together also contribute to cultural transmission.

Activities organised to tackle social isolation

Speaking about the work being carried out, Diyar Oğuzsoy, Head of the Older People’s Services Unit, said their aim was to help older people avoid social isolation:

“As a unit, we have our social club to help older people move away from social isolation. Our older people receive services here during the day. Within our services, we offer mind-opening activities. We run cultural activities. From time to time, we also bring different generations together here and contribute to cultural transmission. In this way, we aim to help older people move out of isolation, become more active and productive, and not feel left out,” he said.

Trips organised

Oğuzsoy noted that they organise a wide range of activities for older people and continued:

“We run mental activities as well. In particular, we hold activities such as chess, which encourage thinking and help maintain the brain’s functionality. We also organise cultural activities — music, dengbêj, bağlama/saz and the like. From time to time, we take older people out of this venue through cultural trips, so that they can at least stay in touch with the outside world; we take them on visits linked to faith and culture.”

Home-based cleaning, care and health services

Oğuzsoy also stated that home-based cleaning, care and health services for older people are continuing:

“Alongside our social club, we provide home cleaning services, home health services and home care services. In addition, we continue to offer medical support to older people in need.”