Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine
Department of Internal Diseases
Geriatrics Subdivision
Geriatrics is involved in health issues, social life, functional life, life quality, mood, cognitive issues, preventive medicine practices of individuals above the age of 65 and aging of society. Now that people tend to live longer and birth problems are on the decrease, the elderly population and rate is increasing day by day. While 5.7% of the overall population consisted of individuals who are 65 years old and above according to the census in 2000, the ratio corresponded to 7.1% in 2007, 6.9% in 2009 and finally, 7.2% according to Address Based Population Registration System data collected by Turkish Statistical Institute in 2010 (5,327,736 people). Based on the data prepared by State Planning Organization, the elderly population is anticipated to reach up to 8.4 million in 2015 and 12 million in 2025. Average life expectancy is 73.4 years as of 2009. This value corresponds to 71.5 for males and 76.1 for females. Patients above the age of 65 use %36 of hospital services and acute hospitalization while nearly 50% of health care expenses are used by them.
In our department, elderly people are evaluated in respect to hypertension, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, chronic pulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, general check-up and other internal diseases as well as prostatic diseases, falls, fractures, osteoporosis, arthritis, incontinence (unintentional loss of stool or urine), depression, dementia, social and functional life of elderly people and accurate medication use.
Any patient who applies to our department is subjected to an extensive geriatric evaluation. Patients are given an extensive examination after they are subjected to tests for evaluating functions at home and during daily life (Daily Basic Life Activities Test, Lawton & Browdy Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale), evaluation test for nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Test), forgetfulness tests (Mini Mental Status Exam, Clock Drawing), depression test (Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale), movement problems test (Mobility Test) regardless of the symptoms of patient. Patient evaluation lasts approximately 30-45 minutes. Furthermore, when deemed necessary, patients are evaluated by geriatrics nurse, social services expert and dietician, who is also included in the geriatrics staff.
In our department, appointments for examination in outpatient clinic can be scheduled by dialing 444 4 444 and clicking “Online Appointment” link.
Besides, examination and check-up appointments are given by secretariat of outpatient clinic as well.
Patients above the age of 65 are examined.
- Patients 65 year old and above should receive an appointment from Geriatrics outpatient clinic for diseases and disorders related to internal medicine (such as diabetes, hypertension, joint pain, asthma, osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, cardiac dysfunction).
Examinations are given before the noon while the results are evaluated in the afternoon in the rooms of Outpatient Clinic of Geriatrics. Also, patients can be admitted for evaluation on any working day for emergency cases.
Trainings are held until noon on Wednesdays.
Geriatrics Training Programs are organized every Tuesday between 15:00-17:00 with the participation of geriatrics specialist, geriatrics nurse, social services expert, psychologist, geriatrics physiotherapists and ergotherapists for geriatrics patients and relatives who have received examination in our outpatient clinic. You can receive detailed information on the subject from our outpatient Clinic.
Geriatrics Department is found in Hacettepe University Hospitals
Telephone:
+90 (312) 305 15 38 (Polyclinic secretariat)
+90 (312) 305 19 02(Professors’ secretariat)