Gerontology

Gerontology Career Overview

Gerontology is the physical, mental, and sociological study of aging. Gerontologists study the way adults change as they age; the ways that society changes with an aging population; and the ways we apply this information to programs and policies for older adults. A gerontology degree prepares students for careers working with older adults or as advocates for the elderly. A degree in gerontolgoy can also be useful for:

• Nurses
• Occupational therapists
• Other health care providers

Essentially, a gerontology degree offers professionals a greater understanding of the problems of their aging patients and how to better care for them. One of the most important skills in this profession is the ability to communicate. Gerontologists are often responsible for recording and relaying information regarding their client or patient. They must be able to work with a diverse population of people, particularly older adults. The professionals working in this field have a great desire to help older adults, either directly or indirectly.

Gerontology Training & Education

Many colleges and universities offer courses in gerontology, and students can choose from an undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, or certificate program. However, the most basic qualification required to enroll for a course in gerontology is a high school diploma. After successfully completing a gerontology degree, students can then transition into a variety of positions, including social work, healthcare, social science, and even public policy.

In addition to the educational requirements, a successful gerontologist must also have excellent communication skills, be able to work with a variety of people (especially older adults), a desire to help the elderly, and sensitivity, patience and compassion. Communication skills are probably the most important of all because gerontologists are often responsible for recording and relaying information regarding their client or patient.

Gerontology Career & Salary

Gerontology is the physical, mental, and sociological study of aging, and it is a diverse field with many career opportunities. These opportunities exist in human services, government agencies, retirement communities, nursing homes, healthcare, and long-term institutional care. Gerontologists are social workers, nursing aids, social scientists, and health care managers.

Careers for gerontologists are numerous because they include almost any profession in which an older person is cared for and assisted. Salaries for gerontologists vary. They fall into the range of $30,000 to $60,000 per year depending upon whether or not the gerontologist has a supervisory role.

Entry-level salaries for gerontology graduates are usually between $22,000 and $35,000 per year. Home health aides and nursing aides are typically paid hourly, whereas healthcare managers are usually paid on a salary. Average gerontology salaries can vary greatly due to the company, location, industry, experience, and benefits.

Career Fields/Specializations

Gerontologist Career

Gerontologists study how adults change as they age; the ways that society changes with an aging population; and the ways we apply this information to programs and policies for older adults. Gerontologists are trained to work in a variety of places, including:

• Health facilities
• Mental health centers
• Social service agencies
• Residential facilities
• Government agencies
• Community agencies
• Advocacy groups

States have varying certification requirements for this profession. Salaries in gerontology range from just above minimum wage to the same salaries earned by a nurse or doctor. It all depends on location, clientele, education, and expertise.

One of the most important skills in this profession is the ability to communicate. Gerontologists are often responsible for recording and relaying information regarding their client or patient. They must be able to work with a diverse population of people, particularly older adults. Those thinking about this field should have a desire to help older adults, either directly or indirectly.

Corporate Gerontologist Career

Corporate gerontologists work in the private sector. They handle the business and financial aspects of gerontology. One possible job title in this field is corporate financial gerontologist. Corporate gerontologists assist employers in figuring out how an employee's role as a caregiver impacts the workplace.

Often, the caregiver role creates time and financial pressures for employees and leads to missed days, overuse of sick time, stress-related illnesses, and loss of upward mobility due to the constraints of being a caregiver. Corporate gerontology services can help employers ease this burden by providing their employees with on-site training in caregiver issues and even offering long-term care insurance.

Gerontology Consultant Career

Gerontology consultants are usually graduates of master's programs which have an emphasis on the business or financial aspect of gerontology. These professionals often work in the private sector. Gerontology consultants are also sometimes called corporate gerontologists. Corporate gerontologists/consultants can help employers ease this burden by providing their employees with on-site training in caregiver issues and even offering long-term care insurance.

Gerontology Case Manager Career

Gerontology case managers are often simply called gerontologists. Gerontologists study the way adults change as they age; the ways that society changes with an aging population; and the ways we apply this information to programs and policies for older adults.

Gerontologists are trained to work in a variety of places, including health facilities, mental health centers, social service agencies, residential facilities, government agencies, community agencies, and advocacy groups. With respect to the required education for this field, students are usually expected to take courses in the physical and mental aspects of aging, legal issues for older adults, and more specific classes on topics such as Alzheimer's.