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Gerontology is proving to be one of the fastest growing–if not the fastest growing–fields of study in the United States. Look at what this exciting new field is and why making gerontology your field of study or adding gerontology classes to your curriculum will almost certainly benefit your education and earning potential.
Why Gerontology?
The population in the United States is aging. It is not only aging, it is doing it in unprecedented numbers and then living longer on top of that! Between 2000 and 2010, the U.S. total U.S. population grew a little over 9%; furthermore, the population of those over 65 grew at 15%. To put it in graphic terms every day for the last two years and for the next 17 years almost 10,000 people will celebrate their 65th birthday. 79 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 are going to need medical care and other special care. Gerontology is by far the fastest expanding facet of medical care, and employment in general, in the United States. It is up to the students of today to get the education to prepare for this huge demand. One short-term projection says there will be a 36% increase in the demand for professionals trained in some facet of gerontology.
Comparing Geriatricians and Gerontologists
Plainly speaking gerontology is the scientific study of aging. Geriatricians are physicians who specialized in treating the health problems of elderly patients. Gerontologists are multi-disciplinary: including but not limited to medical workers, biologists, psychiatrists and psychologists, and sociologists. Medical workers with education specifically in gerontology would range from caregivers to surgeons; accordingly, Certified Nursing Assistants, EMTs, Paramedics, Physician and Medical Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and of course, D.O.s and M.D.s. The common goal of gerontologists is improving the quality of life for seniors.