Hands Met, Saplings Grew, Memories Became Immortal
Süleyman Demirel University Isparta Vocational School of Health Services, Elderly Care Program organized the meaningful event “Hands that Touch Life” on October 1, International Day of Older Persons. The program brought together participants from the Uluborlu İbrahim Ethem Erbil Care and Rehabilitation Center, Isparta Private Care Center for the Disabled, Isparta Private Nursing Home and Elderly Care Center, students of Tümay Yavuz Ali Ergün Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, academics, elderly care students, and alumni.
The event began in the Hafız İbrahim Demiralay Amphitheater with a moment of silence and the playing of the Turkish National Anthem. Symbolic student ID cards were presented to the wise witnesses of life, allowing them to experience the joy of being a student once again. Lecturer Ebru Acarbaş then led hand exercises, followed by Lecturer Dr. İsmail Caner Yavuz, who delivered a lecture on “Nutrition in Older Adults.” Head of the Elderly Care Program, Lecturer Sevilay Kılınçkaya, with the approval of Head of the Department of Health Care Services, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Senem Söyleyici Öcal, symbolically declared their graduation. This meaningful moment was crowned with the presentation of diplomas and certificates.
Following a music recital, the program continued in the school garden. There, our esteemed elders, high school students, and university students planted saplings together, leaving hope for the future. Guests wrote their advice on notes and tied them to the branches. Later, our experience bearers and students pressed their handprints on a canvas, immortalizing the day.
Alumni Emrullah Bakır and Saadettin Bayraktar also shared their educational and professional journeys, inspiring the younger participants. The day ended joyfully with music and dancing, uniting elders, students, and graduates.
Guests of the Event
İlke Korkmaz – Director, Isparta Private Care Center for the Disabled
Civan Mert Dışpınar – Isparta Private Care Center for the Disabled
Eda Nur Başaranlar – Director, Isparta Private Nursing Home and Elderly Care Center
Özge Bakır Bodur – Teacher, Tümay Yavuz Ali Ergün Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School
Demet Çetin – Teacher, Tümay Yavuz Ali Ergün Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School
Psychologist Fatma Nur Eryiğit – Uluborlu İbrahim Ethem Erbil Care and Rehabilitation Center
Bekir Aygün – Teacher, Uluborlu İbrahim Ethem Erbil Care and Rehabilitation Center
Emrullah Bakır – Alumni, Elderly Care Program, Department of Health Care Services, SDU Isparta Vocational School of Health Services
Saadettin Bayraktar – Alumni, Elderly Care Program, Department of Health Care Services, SDU Isparta Vocational School of Health Services
