One of the areas in our country that has long been undergoing renewal and development efforts is Disabled and Elderly Services. The state provides services to elderly and disabled people across various fields and scopes, and each year it continues to expand and improve these services. In this article, we answer the question: What Are Disabled and Elderly Services?
What Care Services Are Available for People with Disabilities?
In our country, both public and private care centers provide residential and day services for people with disabilities who need assistance. In addition to care centers, home care services are available for those who require support. Since 2015, responsibility for meeting these needs has been assigned to the Directorate General of Social Assistance.
Applications to be placed in or to benefit from public or private care centers must be made to the Provincial Directorates of Family and Social Policies. Required documents for these applications include:
- An official Disability Health Board report indicating the disability and that the individual does not have a contagious disease,
- The applicant with a disability must be under 18 years of age,
- A court order for placing the disabled person under protection when required,
- For those who cannot manage their own affairs due to mental illness or intellectual disability, who require continuous care or pose a danger to others, a guardianship decision from the court is required,
- Procedures for disabled individuals who are without relatives, abandoned, or orphaned are handled by the Provincial Directorate where the disabled person is located.
For placement in private or residential care homes, the following application documents are required:
- Application to the Ministry of Family and Social Policies,
- Declaration of Turkish ID number and the Disability Health Board Report,
- The person to be placed in a residential or continuous care official or private facility must be under 18 years of age,
- A court guardianship decision for placing the disabled person under protection when necessary,
- Written declarations and supporting documents regarding the income and circumstances of those responsible for the person,
- Two passport-size photos,
- If available, documents or copies showing the education status,
- If the disabled person’s parents are divorced, the divorce decree,
- Family registry extract and residence address document of the disabled person.
Those wishing to benefit from private care centers must document at least a 50% disability rate. Additionally, it must be shown that the individual’s average monthly net income per dependent person is less than two-thirds of the monthly net minimum wage. Fees for private care services are determined by law.
Home care services are also available for people with disabilities. To access this service, applications should be made to the Provincial Directorates of Family and Social Policies. The disability rate must be at least 50% to qualify. Home care fees are adjusted annually according to legal regulations.
Another service for people with disabilities is the disability allowance provided under Law No. 2022. To be eligible for the disability allowance, the disabled person must be under 18 years of age. These payments are made quarterly and vary depending on the degree of disability. The disability allowance is granted under the following conditions:
- There is no legally responsible caregiver,
- The individual has no income subject to social security institutions,
- No alimony has been granted and it is not possible to be granted,
- The individual has no regular income,
Relatives of disabled persons under 18 and individuals whose total income falls below the poverty threshold can benefit from this allowance.
Applications are submitted to the foundation associated with the applicant’s place of residence. For more detailed information consult the appropriate provincial office.
What Services Are Available for the Elderly?
Many services are available in our country for people aged 60 and over. The best-known of these are nursing homes and elderly care centers.
What Are the Conditions and Required Documents to Apply to Nursing Homes?
- Being aged 60 or over,
- Not having a disability that prevents them from meeting personal needs (bathing, toileting, eating, etc.),
- Not being addicted to alcohol or drugs,
- Being assessed as socially or economically deprived in a Social Investigation Report,
- Mental health must be sound and the person must not have a contagious disease,
To benefit from nursing homes, applicants should apply with a petition to the local nursing home or center directorate, Provincial Social Services Directorate, District Social Services Directorate, the Ministry, or the Provincial Directorate. The required documents in this process are:
- Application petition,
- Certified family record (Vukuatlı Nüfus Örneği),
- Document showing income status,
- Health Board Report,
- Social Investigation Report prepared by a social worker.
Elderly people in urgent need of care are placed in nursing homes immediately.
In addition to nursing homes, elderly individuals may be placed in Care and Rehabilitation Centers. These centers serve people who have sound mental health, are free of contagious diseases, and who need care due to being bedridden or having physical or cognitive decline.
For Detailed Information About Disability Care and Allowances Please Refer to the Relevant Government Resources
For Detailed Information About Elderly Care and Services Please Refer to the Relevant Government Resources
For more detailed information you can also contact the Labour and Social Security Contact Center at 170.