{"id":5352,"date":"2016-12-06T11:00:52","date_gmt":"2016-12-06T17:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/?p=5352"},"modified":"2016-12-12T14:19:11","modified_gmt":"2016-12-12T20:19:11","slug":"what-is-gerontology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/what-is-gerontology\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Gerontology?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is gerontology, and what does this growing field have to offer? Dr. Frances Mills<\/a> and Dr. Terry Tirrito<\/a>, both part-time faculty members in Capella University\u2019s School of Public Service Leadership, shed some light on what it is, why it\u2019s valuable, and who it\u2019s for.<\/p>\n

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What is gerontology?<\/h4>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the study of aging and the lives of adults, 65 and older,\u201d says Mills. \u201cIt looks at how to physically and mentally make the most of aging.\u201d<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s different from a strictly medical approach. \u201cMany people confuse it with geriatrics, which is the study of diseases in old age,\u201d adds Tirrito. \u201cThat\u2019s not gerontology. Gerontology is the study of normal, non-illness-related aging.\u201d<\/p>\n

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If it\u2019s not medical, what is the focus of gerontology?<\/h4>\n

\u201cGerontology studies where older people live, what they do, how their family structures work, their social activities\u2014all things not related to illness,\u201d says Tirrito. \u201cIt covers a broad base of issues including housing, social activities, exercise, nutrition, and social support.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mills agrees. \u201cGerontology can involve looking at long-term care and newer senior housing options like assisted living. In addition, gerontology can involve many areas of study not necessarily directly related to aging, such as child welfare when grandparents are the people raising the grandchildren.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tirrito sees the possibility\u2014and future demand\u2014for partnered degrees. \u201cWe\u2019re going to increasingly see the need for people who study psychology or social work to specialize in gerontology. The field has seen strong growth in the past 20 years, and more and more people are becoming interested in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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What are possible careers in gerontology?<\/h4>\n

According to Mills and Tirrito, there are nearly countless possibilities. With the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, and the fact that they\u2019re aging differently than previous generations, new roles are opening up.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at senior services,\u201d says Tirrito. \u201cIt used to be nursing homes only. Now there are all different kinds of living arrangements for various levels of need, including in-home services that didn\u2019t used to exist. There are financial and legal gerontology services that help people manage their money and protect themselves from fraud. Technology and aging is another new area. We\u2019re dispelling the myth that older people can\u2019t learn how to use cell phones and computers. Yes, some have trouble\u2014but that may be more of a personality issue than an aging issue, as we see it in younger people as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mills notes, \u201cGerontology job opportunities will continue to expand and grow right along with the aging population. It\u2019s an ever-changing field that\u2019s going to continue to require new research and new methodology. Plus, interest about this field among non-gerontologists is growing. For instance, medical doctors who want to understand more of the factors that affect elderly health look to gerontology for answers. We know so much more now about how all these factors\u2014financial, social\u2014affect physical health, so we see more interest from organizations that want a deeper understanding of these issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Career opportunities for gerontology graduates are available in settings as diverse as:<\/p>\n