Help Improve The Quality of Life For The Elderly: Gerontology Degree
Are you interested in the field of aging and would love to work in a field where you can assist in making life better for the elderly? If so, then a degree in gerontology is the best way to get your foot in the door of this industry. Not to be confused with geriatrics, gerontology is a field that deals with all of the multi-faceted aspects related to the process of aging. Because it incorporates elements of sociology, biology and psychology, it is a field of study that can lead to many different career paths. In addition to being an interesting field of study, it is also a great choice for anyone with compassion for the elderly. Whether you want to work directly with the elderly or work in more behind-the-scenes occupations dedicated to improving their quality of life, a gerontology degree is a good starting point.
Gerontology Degree Information
There are a wide range of courses of different levels that are available to anyone interested in studying gerontology. These range from certificate programs all the way to assiocate’s, bacherlor’s and master’s degrees.
Gerontology Certifications
Certificate courses in gerontology are available for those who don’t have a lot of time to study and are interested in
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This includes psychological, physical and social aspects that are faced by the elderly population. The course also looks at the needs of the elderly and how they impact society. Course topics usually include topics such as mental well-being and aging, psychology of aging, social policy and aging as well as aging and health. With this type of degree you can also add a specialization, such as health care informatics systems to your program, depending on where you study. Completing a bachelor’s degree in this field usually takes about four
There are also two-year certificate programs for people with little to no experience in the world of medicine. This will provide you with formal trainin...
older adults. Journal of Nursing Education, 47(6), 269-271. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.
So in conclusion, in this course I am looking forward to learning all about gerontology, how older adults function and how they feel when they are in those situations listed above.
The Social Security Act of 1935 was established in order to help Americans receive benefits when they retire or in the event that they are not able to work anymore. All Americans who work pay taxes, which in turn are put into the Social Security system. When this act was passed, it was meant to supplement a person's income, when reaching the age of retirement. This money would add to their pensions or savings. Many retirees now depend on it as their only source of income. In the past, the majority of jobs had pensions and the employee contributed to it. In modern society, pensions are no longer the norm in jobs as they were 50 years ago. Blue collar jobs are more than likely to not have any sort of pension plan as opposed to white collar jobs. Not all people receive the same amount of money when they retire. Depending on the salary you earned when working, that will determine how much you will receive in your monthly Social Security check. A person who has worked at low paying jobs in their lifetime will barely receive enough in Social Security. Many of our elderly in the United States barely receive enough money that many elderly live below or just barely above the poverty level.
As part of a six week clinical placement I was posted in Aged care. During my clinical placement, I had an opportunity to enhance my knowledge about the ageing process. I had learned to apply advanced knowledge to plan appropriate care for an older person with complex health needs, analyse the principles underpinning best nursing care of an older person, integrate legal and ethical considerations into nursing care, including documentation and develop practice in relation to the care of a person with dementia.
After spending an afternoon interviewing my elderly father-in-law, I gained insight into how he perceives the aging process and the impact on the quality of his life. First, and foremost he viewed aging in a very positive and healthy manner. He believes that a positive attitude assists in accepting physical and psychosocial changes and enjoyed the fact that he and his wife are both physically fit and cognitively alert. He felt confident that advances made in health care and the quality of their lives would continue to be empowering. He enjoys the benefits of being a senior citizen including discounted travel, free education, and other incentives marketed towards seniors. He expressed a sense of well-being with respect to the numerous housing options geared towards the graying population, such as Retirement Villages, and assisted living. However, the subjects of Long Term Care, Social security reform and government involvement in health care reform were subjects he regarded with very strong negative emotions. During the interview these issues as related to his experiences with health care were discussed with zeal and frustration.
The rapid growth of the elderly population continues to inform the social work profession of the need for gerontological social workers in areas of healthcare, family functioning, and community-based practice (Rosen & Zlotnik, 2001; Peterson, 1990; Scarlach, Damron-Rodriguez, Robinson, & Feldman, 2000). Based on these statistics, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014) has projected that by 2024, there will be an overall 19 percent increase in social work jobs in both healthcare and mental health. In addition, social workers in long-term care settings are expected to increase by at least 50 percent. A larger number of social workers will become key members on interdisciplinary teams that serve older adults bringing with them a multi-perspective expertise on health and wellness and knowledge of various biopsychosocial assessments and interventions that have been developed over time (Simons, Bonifas, & Gammonley,
I have learned many things in this class, some of them have helped me in many other aspects as well. I have learned a lot about myself and about the aging, and I am assured that after completing this course, I have improved. I have started to feel that my world and my preparation for the world have also improved ever since I have taken this class. Taking this class has taught me different techniques to consider when dealing with aging. This topic was of great interest to me. I was surprised to learn that successful aging is a combination of physical and functional health, high cognitive functioning, and active involvement with society. It was interesting to learn that these factors could lead to a lower risk of disease and disability. As
Those who want to work with older populations will learn about behavior in social environments, which will explore human development through the lifespan, and interviewing skills, which will help them with assessments, goal setting and
During my undergraduate education, I took a substantial amount of courses like Psychology to study the human mind and functions, Anatomy and Physiology to study the human body, Medical Terminology to know the term used in today’s medical field. Most of all, I took courses in Radiology which deals a lot with the human bones and bedside manners. I believe the knowledge that I have acquired during my undergrad education has prepared me to start my new found career. In addition, more than 15 years of working with Microsoft Office and company database will help me to succeed with my in class and online
In conclusion, I have discussed the psychosocial, biological and nursing theories of aging that most align and best explain my personal views of successful aging. I have also identified the changing demographics of the older adult population that is now and soon will be seeking healthcare, and the influences and demands it will have on healthcare professionals in the future.
The life course model within gerontology provides a comprehensive framework for understanding aging as a dynamic and multifaceted process that is shaped by individual experiences, social contexts, and historical factors across the lifespan. This model emphasizes the interconnectedness of various life stages, transitions, and trajectories in shaping an individual's aging experience. Key principles of the life course model include: Lifelong Development: The life course model recognizes that development occurs across the entire lifespan, from infancy through old age. It highlights the importance of early life experiences, such as childhood socioeconomic status, education, and family dynamics, in influencing later life outcomes.
As we navigate through our lives, decisions and circumstances change; I feel that a bachelor’s degree in Health Informatics and Health Information Management aligns better for my personal
My studies in gerontology provide me with the ability to better serve older people. I
degree will educate me more about youth and allow me to better serve them the best way I can.