| St. Bonaventure University has suspended admissions to its Gerontology major. The University will continue to accept new students to the minor in Gerontology. Students presently enrolled in the Gerontology major will be able to complete their academic program of study. |
These facts spell opportunity for you:
- Average life expectancy in 1900: 47 years
- Average life expectancy in 2000: 76 years
- Percentage of Americans over the age of 65 in 1900: 4%
- Percentage of Americans over the age of 65 in 2000: 13%
- Predicted percentage of Americans over the age of 65 in 2030: 20%
- Predicted number of Americans over the age of 65 in 2030: 70 million
These facts generate a question. Does our society have the necessary number of professionals to assist the ever-increasing aging population? The answer is “NO.” And this answer leads to
career opportunities for you.
So what is gerontology?
Gerontology is the study of the aging process as individuals grow from middle age through later life. It includes:
- the study of physical, mental, and social changes in older people as they age;
- the investigation of the changes in society resulting from our aging population; and
- the application of this knowledge to the development of various programs and policies to assist the aging.
What will I learn?
- How and why different cultures treat older people differently
- How and why cognitive changes affect older people
- How and why psychological changes affect older people
- How and why spiritual and philosophical commitments positively affect older people
- How and why government policies affect the condition of older people and how these policies can be improved
- How and why exercise affects the aging population
- How and why nutrition affects the aging population
- And much, much more!