Questions about Gerontology
Answers provided by the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics:
What is Gerontology?
Gerontology is the interdisciplinary behavioral, social, and political science specializing in understanding older people and the aging population, the aging-related policies that impact them, and the network of businesses, organizations, and agencies that provide programs and advocacy for older people and their familial caregivers as their abilities, interests, and needs gradually change. It is an applied, nonclinical profession with practitioners, researchers, and policy advocates guided by the gerontological perspective, educational competencies, professional credential standards, and stringent ethics.
What is the Gerontological Perspective?
Gerontologists integrate the biopsychosocial perspective with a strength-based, person-centered approach and other evidence-based interaction strategies. The view relies on the nature-nurture principle in context with the social determinants of health to differentiate aging from disease, illness, and disability. This unique holistic lens supports biopsychosocial well-being and respect for ability differences and diversity, which promotes equity and inclusion. In addition, the perspective cultivates ism-consciousness (ageism, ableism, racism, sexism, etc.) and cultural humility within practitioners.
In Gerontology, What Does the Term Older Adult Mean?
In gerontology, the term older adult refers to people who are experiencing aging and who also qualify for age and needs-based programs provided by the state and federal government. For example, at age 55, people can receive employment assistance, and at age 60, they can access other benefits and programs. Gerontologists work with adults as clients, participants, or residents in perfect health, and they also serve patients receiving geriatric medical treatments, care, or supervision.
What are the Social Determinants of Health?
The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the environmental conditions that impact the health and well-being of all people. According to Health.gov, the SDOH are economic stability, educational access & quality, health care access & quality, neighborhood & built environment, and social & community context. The SDOH can support mental and physical health by providing opportunities or undermine health by limiting choices, and their cumulative effects across the lifespan impact how people experience aging. The SDOH have replaced the simplistic view of health being determined by individual lifestyle choices.
Does a Gerontology Degree Provide Career Security?
Population aging makes any career in the field of aging extremely secure, and the population in California is aging more rapidly than in many states. According to CA.gov projection data (11/23/2022), approximately 29% of Californians are 55+, and it will increase to 33% by 2033, and by 2060, when the projection data ends, 38% of Californians will be 55+. As a result, gerontology professionals find employment in diverse business sectors, including health care, government, the non-profit sector, and the business community.
What are the Differences Between Gerontology and Geriatrics?
- Gerontology is an applied behavioral social science. Applied sciences are nonclinical and do not require a national or state license to practice or professional liability insurance.
- Geriatrics encompasses all the clinical medical/health science disciplines with criteria for specialization in aging. Clinical disciplines require a national or state license and professional liability insurance.
What is the Difference Between a Gerontology and Nonclinical Social Work?
- Gerontology is the only behavioral social science that specializes in working with older people and provides knowledge about health, wellness, and the aging process, the programs available to older people, the social policies that impact them, and how to advocate for older people.
- Nonclinical social work is a generalized science that works with people of all ages and provides and provides knowledge about typical developmental stages, programs that serve the general population, and advocacy for individuals of any age. Some social work programs do offer a minor or focus on children, older adults, etc.