Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to analyse decadal changes in health status, hospitalisation, intensive care admissions, and mortality rates among the Turkish elderly population from 2012 to 2022, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Material and Methods: A retrospective study obtained data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) and Health Statistics Yearbooks. Descriptive statistics were used to elucidate healthcare utilisation patterns and mortality profiles among individuals aged ≥ 65 years.
Results: Analysis showed that self-reported "Very good/Good" health status peaked at 70.7% in 2012, decreased to 60.9% in 2019, and rebounded to 63.4% in 2022. The hospitalisation rates for the 65-74 age group increased from 17.5% in 2012 to 20.2% in 2021, with males (20.2%) having higher rates than females (16.0%) in 2021. ICU admission rates escalated during the pandemic, reaching 3.7% in 2021 for ages 65-74 and 4.7% for 75+ years, before declining in 2022 to 3.0% and 4.0%, respectively. The annual population growth rate has significantly decreased from 21.7 per thousand in 2012 to 5.5 per thousand in 2022, whereas the crude death rate has remained stable, dropping from 7.1 per thousand in 2012 to 5.1 per thousand in 2022.
Conclusion: This study highlights fluctuating health perceptions among the elderly exacerbated by the pandemic. The enduring gender disparities in health status and healthcare utilisation underscore the need for gender-sensitive policies. The consistent yet stable mortality rates amidst demographic shifts emphasise the resilience of Turkey's healthcare system. These findings provide critical insights into geriatric care policies and post-pandemic health care strategies.