Kastamonu University hosted a symposium titled "Kastamonu's Health Tourism Potential in Protecting and Improving the Health of Elderly and Disabled Individuals." 

At the symposium held on December 19, 2025, in the Sezai Karakoç Hall of the Central Library, current approaches to improving and protecting the health of elderly and disabled individuals, as well as Kastamonu's potential in the field of health tourism, were addressed from multiple perspectives. 

The program, which began with a moment of silence and the reading of the Turkish National Anthem, was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Abdülkadir Tuna, the Director of Tosya Vocational School, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Orçun Çağlar Kurtuluş, as well as academics and students. 

The opening speech was delivered by the symposium chair and faculty member of the Tosya Vocational School Occupational Health and Safety Program, Assistant Professor Ayşe Özdemir.

In his speech, Assistant Professor Özdemir emphasized that protecting and improving the health of elderly and disabled individuals requires a holistic approach with health, social, and environmental dimensions. He stated that Kastamonu has significant potential for health tourism due to its high-quality healthcare infrastructure, natural resources, and people-centered approach. 

Following the opening program, the symposium continued with the topics discussed in the sessions. The first session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Nimet Ovatoylu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz Özel Çakır. In this session, Nurse Ayşe Gül Kale presented "Aging, Changing Life Dynamics, and Nursing Homes," while Associate Professor Ayla Demirtaş presented "Nursing Practices in Empowering Older Individuals." 

The second session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Özlem Ovayolu, with Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ayşe Özdemir serving as session co-chair. During the session, Associate Professor Dr. Havva Kaçan contributed with her presentation titled "Improving the Social Structure for Individuals with Special Needs," while Professor Dr. Gülendam Karadağ presented "Health in Disability: Current Protective, Supportive, and Developmental Approaches." 

The final session, held after the lunch break, was chaired by Prof. Dr. Serap Parlar Kılıç, with Prof. Dr. Gülendam Karadağ serving as session co-chair. In this session, on behalf of Assistant Professor Dr. Hakkı Çılgınoğlu, Assistant Professor Dr. Ayşe Özdemir presented "Kastamonu Health Tourism Potential," Assistant Professor Dr. Zeynep Arabacı presented "Health Tourism for Elderly Individuals," and Assistant Professor Dr. Kerim Güney presented "The Place of Healing from Nature in Kastamonu in the Health of the Elderly and Disabled."