Care poverty: unmet care needs in Turkiye

Aims: This study examines care poverty among older adults in Turkiye by analyzing socio-demographic and health-related factors that contribute to unmet care needs in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs). Methods: The analysis is based on secondary data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) for 2019 and 2022. The study focuses on disparities in both basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs) among the elderly population. Prevalence rates of unmet care needs were calculated, and socio-demographic and health-related determinants were examined. Gender differences were also analyzed, particularly with IADLs. Results: The findings indicate that older adults with poor health, low social support, and limited access to care face a higher risk of care poverty. Based on the analysis, care poverty prevalence was found to be 14% for basic ADLs and 34.9% for IADLs. While no significant gender difference was observed in basic ADLs, women were more disadvantaged than men in instrumental ADLs. Conclusion: This study reveals a substantial prevalence of care poverty among the elderly in Turkiye. It highlights the role of health inequalities, social vulnerability, and gender in access to care. The results provide evidence to support more inclusive and equitable long-term care policies, especially in middle-income countries experiencing population aging.