Post-earthquake experiences of older adults: The case of February 6, 2023 in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye earthquake
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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults
Published on: November 7, 2014
Emine Özmete1, Fulya Akgül Gök1, Erdinç Kalaycı2
1Ankara University, Department of Social Work, Ankara, Türkiye.
Abstract:
Older adults have unique experiences after a disaster in that they are a vulnerable social group due to their specific problems and multiple needs. This study aimed to examine in depth the experiences of older adults after the great Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Türkiye on February 6, 2023. The study's data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews between 20 and 30 March 2023, right after the earthquake disaster. The study group consisted of 15 older adult earthquake survivors. The descriptive phenomenological approach and thematic analysis were used in this study to reveal the subjective experiences of older adults in their post-earthquake lives. According to the findings, post-earthquake experiences of older adults were evaluated under three themes: "Changes in life routine", "Post-earthquake challenges", and "Coping methods". Health and social care service providers can alleviate the multiple challenges experienced by older adults through addressing their needs during the acute phase and examining their coping strategies.
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