Department of Gerontology

My name is Nur Elçin Boyacıoğlu. I graduated from Istanbul University, School of Health, Department of Nursing. I completed my master's and doctorate studies in Psychiatric Nursing in the Department. First of all, I would like to talk about the definition of gerontology. We are given birth to, we grow up, and then we die. Aging is just one of these processes. Gerontology is a science that focuses on aging and aging processes. Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Gerontology provides theoretical lectures in the first two years. In the following two years, more applied courses are offered. In the first two years, besides medical courses such as old age anatomy and physiology, socially-oriented courses such as the sociology of old age, then psychological courses such as the psychology of old age are given. We also include courses on law. Our training program also includes courses such as inheritance law. Our students receive practical training in the last two years. In the last year, they are directed to the neurology or geriatric units of the hospital or to the social units of the municipalities, rehabilitation centers. In our last year, which consists of two semesters, students conduct scientific research on aging under the supervision of a faculty member. After our students graduate, they have the opportunity to work in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers or work as a part of the academic staff of universities. Our students have difficulties in theoretical courses, especially for two years. Then, after taking two years’ worth of theoretical courses, they are more comfortable working with the elderly. The last two years are relatively comfortable. My advice to the students who will choose Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Gerontology is as follows: First of all, people who do not like old people should not come here. Students who are curious about the elderly, who care about communicating with them and who will embrace research about them should come here. I’d like to say this to the students who are coming from outside of the city to Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gerontology Department. Our faculty has a great academic staff. In addition, they will receive education in a campus which is surrounded by nature. We also have the Istanbul Gerontechnology Application and Research Center, supported by the Istanbul Development Agency. Let me talk about the benefits that the Department of Gerontology offers. We have established a center, the Istanbul Gerontechnology Application and Research Center, supported by the Istanbul Development Agency. Here, our students produce solutions to the problems of the elderly such as balance, mobility and falling. In addition, they produce technological solutions to their communication problems. I wish success to our students who will come to our faculty and department.