Gerontology

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Gerontology is the study of aging. It is distinguished from geriatrics, which is the study of the diseases of the aging (medical studies).

Gerontology covers the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging.

Elderly Woman

Gerontology includes these and other endeavors:

  • studying physical, mental, and social changes in people as they age.
  • investigating the effects of our aging population on society.
  • applying this knowledge to policies and programs.

As a result of the multidisciplinary focus of gerontology, professionals from several fields call themselves "gerontologists".

Gerontologists

Gerontologists are professionals who specialize in studying or working with older adults. There are several different types of gerontologists. Research gerontologists conduct research on the aging process, social structures, and living environments of older persons in an effort to understand and enrich the lives of elders. Applied gerontologists work directly with older persons, communicating with and analyzing individuals, families, and groups. They may also provide their services to people in nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and other similar facilities. Administratively oriented gerontologists use their training and management skills to develop programs and coordinate services that are necessary for services to run smoothly. These professionals may have degrees or training in social work, nursing, psychology, sociology, demography, gerontology, or other social science professions. Gerontologists are responsible for educating, researching, and advancing the broader causes of older people by giving informative presentations, publishing books and articles that pertain to the aging population, producing relevant films and television programs, and producing new graduates of these various disciplines in college and university settings.

Prominent [citation needed] gerontologists include:

Biogerontology

Biogerontology is the subfield of gerontology dedicated to studying the specifically biological processes resulting in senescence. Biogerontologists are scientists who study these processes. Biomedical gerontologists are scientists who work to control, prevent, and reverse aging in both humans and animals.

Biogerontologists who are not biomedical gerontologists not only take an academic interest in the biological mechanisms of aging, but also try to develop rational and practical means of aging intervention and modulation. The biogerontological approach to "anti-aging" is based in the context and framework of real and evolutionary biology, rather than almost metaphysical claims for an imminent and permanent "cure" of aging. Curing age-related diseases is one approach, but slowing down aging at all levels of organization is something different.

Current biogerontologists include:

Academic resources

  • Journal of Applied Gerontology, ISSN: 1552-4523 (electronic) ISSN: 0733-4648 (paper), SAGE Publications

See also

External links

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