Developing technologies and artificial intelligence have the potential to play a very important role in improving the access of the aging population to healthcare services. The Near East University Faculty of Nursing discussed the role of artificial intelligence in elderly care with the “National Sustainable Healthy Aging Symposium” held at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center.

Many presentations were made at the symposium, which brought together scientists who are experts in their fields, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector and elderly care. The symposium, which attracted a large number of participants, covered the following topics: “What is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence Applications in Healthcare”, “Use of Artificial Intelligence in Elderly Health”, “Multidisciplinary Approach in Elderly Health”, and “Effects of Age Discrimination on Mental Health”.

The opening speeches of the symposium were delivered by Near East University Faculty of Nursing Dean Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz, Vice Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burcu Totur Dikmen and AI-based academic AI Prof. DUX. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the participants at the end of the symposium.

The role of technology in the care of the aging population was discussed!

The names who gave speeches at the symposium shared important topics in their fields with the participants. Dr. İlker Gelişen addressed the potential areas of using artificial intelligence in the field of health with his speech titled “What is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence Applications in the Field of Health”. Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz explained how technology can bring innovation to the health care of elderly individuals with the subject of “Artificial Intelligence in Geriatric Care”. Following Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülten Sucu Dağ, who emphasized the contributions of artificial intelligence in surgical processes by focusing on the “Artificial Intelligence Applications in Elderly Surgery”, Dr. Ayşe Aydındoğmuş made a presentation on artificial intelligence application examples in geriatric individuals in the TRNC. In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hoca explained the importance of technology in geriatric care under the title of “Technology and Artificial Intelligence Supported Approach”; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuba Yerlikaya shared how artificial intelligence offers a solution in preventing the risk of falling in the elderly under the title of “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Fall Risk Management in the Elderly”. Finally, Social Service Specialist Gizem Güney Ercantan discussed the effects of artificial intelligence on the rights of the elderly in her presentation titled “Elderly Rights and Artificial Intelligence”; Dr. Gülcem Sala Razı discussed the negative effects of discrimination encountered in old age on mental health by speaking on “The Effects of Age Discrimination on Mental Health”. At the end of the symposium, the participants gained an important perspective on the future by addressing the opportunities and challenges offered by technology in the care of the aging population.

Artificial intelligence is the most powerful tool that can provide solutions to the challenges brought by aging

Stating that Elderly Week is of great importance in terms of creating social awareness, Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz said, “It is necessary to create more awareness and remind people about old age and elderly health issues.” Stating that artificial intelligence enables the creation of personalized care plans according to the special needs of elderly individuals, Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz also emphasized that the integration of artificial intelligence-based education applications into elderly care has great potential in increasing the quality of care. Speaking on the factors such as the increase in education and income levels, changes in eating habits, the importance of exercise and the control of infectious diseases cause the life span to increase, Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz said, “The increase in the elderly population in Turkey and the TRNC necessitates the diversification of health services provided to the elderly.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burcu Totur Dikmen stated that technologies such as smart algorithms, robotic systems, data analytics and machine learning play a major role in improving elderly care and making their lives easier, and said, “Artificial intelligence offers new tools that will strengthen the social ties of the elderly, support their mental health and help them continue their independent lives.”

In his opening speech, academic AI. Prof. Dux, who developed artificial intelligence based on the Near East University, said, “Aging is not only a biological process, but also a phenomenon that affects the economic and social structure of societies.” Stating that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can provide solutions to the challenges of aging, AI. Prof. Dux said, “These technologies have great potential in terms of increasing access to health services and improving the quality of life of elderly individuals.”