Osmangazi Üniversitesi, Mediko Sosyal Merkezi, Eskişehir

The objective of this study was to determine the socio-economical characteristics and health status of the elderly people aged 65 and over, living in a district of Eskişehir. The mean age of the elderly in the study was 70.5±6.07 years (n=100). Most of those using assistance apparatus (64.3%) were men. In the group, 21% had active sexual life, the majority being males (66.7%). Most of those not attending activities outside the house were women (66.2%). The rate of those who described their health status as unpleasant or bad was more for the 75 and over elderly people than for those aged 65 and 74 (54.8 % and 77.8 %, respectively). Most of those applying to any health institution (59.3%) were in the group aged 75 and over. Those not having any social security (80%) applied to health institutions more. The most frequent health problems were those associated with the cardiovascular system (73.7%). When the socio-economical status of both the country and the individuals, people's cultural structure, the present customs and traditions are in general evaluated, we conclude that the more informed we are about the people to be served, the more effective interventions we can perform, within available opportunities and facilities.