Gerontology: The Study of Aging for High School Students

According to the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, 1 in 5 Americans will be over the age of 65 by 2040. Globally, this number will jump to 1.6 billion people by 2050. Since there are 830 million people currently in this age bracket, this means that over the course of 25 years, this population will almost double (source). So, what does this mean for the economy? What about healthcare? Housing? Transportation? Social services? Government policies?

Understanding Gerontology

Gerontology is the study of the aging process and the effects it has on individuals and society. Aging doesn’t just affect individuals; it has a large impact on society as well. This means that studying gerontology can help inform many careers, including those in healthcare, architecture, public health, elder law, social work, occupational therapy, and more. 

While “geriatrics” refers to medical professionals who specialize in working with older patients, “gerontology” is a multidisciplinary field that considers the aging process and its effects through many lenses, including biological, cognitive, clinical, psychological, sociological, legal, economic, social, and political. This means that there are lots of subfields within gerontology.

What is Gerontology?

Gerontology is the science of aging and the challenges faced by older adults. It encompasses biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. In addition to focusing on individuals, gerontology also focuses on the effects aging has on society at large. While medical care and research play an important role in improving the quality of life of older adults, so do legislature, architecture, transportation, and more.  The extensive curriculum requires students to integrate knowledge from various disciplines. This is why gerontology is such a nuanced and interdisciplinary course of study. 

Why Study Gerontology?

With an aging global population, understanding gerontology is crucial for improving the living experience for older adults. Furthermore, careers in this field are growing in demand. While high school students may not initially think of working with older adults within the course of their careers, working with this demographic can offer inspiring and financially stable careers within a variety of industries. Understanding gerontology will also cultivate a greater sense of empathy within both personal and professional settings.

The Importance of Gerontology

People deserve dignity and agency in all stages of life. For older adults, various health factors, ageism, and a lack of accessibility features can all have a negative impact on quality of life. Imagine having difficulty walking but only finding walk-up apartments to rent. Now, imagine giving up your driver’s license but not having access to reliable public transportation…imagine struggling with technology and being scammed. There are lots of challenges that older adults face, which means that there are lots of ways to help and job opportunities working with this demographic.

Now, before we start exploring specific career opportunities, let’s take a closer look at some of the more popular subfields within gerontology:

Biological Gerontology

Biological gerontology examines the physical changes that occur as people age. Medical professionals and researchers primarily focus on this branch of gerontology. 

Psychological Gerontology

Psychological gerontology studies the mental health and cognitive changes in older adults. Counselors, therapists, and social workers primarily focus on this branch of gerontology. 

Social Gerontology

Social gerontology focuses on the social roles, relationships, and support systems of the elderly. Social workers, policy advocates, and community service managers primarily focus on this branch of gerontology. 

Career Opportunities in Gerontology

Gerontologists work in many different fields, including healthcare, research, social services, policy-making, and more. Students interested in healthcare, psychology, social work, public health, and policy-making are all well-suited for studying gerontology, often integrating it as a major or minor within their academic coursework.

Here’s a list of careers where gerontology plays a crucial role:

1. Geriatrician: A physician specializing in the medical care of older adults.

2. Clinical Psychologist: Often focuses on mental health issues related to aging populations.

3. Social Worker: Supports older adults and their families, addressing social and emotional needs.

4. Nurse (Gerontological Nurse): Provides specialized care for older patients in various healthcare settings.

5. Occupational Therapist:  Assists older adults in maintaining their independence through therapeutic activities.

6. Physical Therapist: Works with older clients to enhance mobility and physical function.

7. Recreational Therapist: Promotes health and well-being through engaging activities tailored for seniors.

8. Policy Analyst: Develops and assesses policies related to aging and elder care.

9. Community Service Manager: Oversees programs that serve older adults, ensuring access to resources.

10. Elder Law Attorney: Specializes in legal issues related to elder care, including estate planning and guardianship.

11. Aging Services Coordinator: Manages services and programs aimed at improving the lives of older individuals.

12. Research Scientist: Conducts studies on the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.

13. Health Educator: Provides information on healthy aging practices and resources available to older adults.

14. Home Health Aide: Offers personal care and assistance to seniors in their homes.

10 Hands-On Project Ideas for Students

Looking for a passion project idea? If you’re interested in gerontology, there are lots of possibilities! Maybe you're interested in studying dementia or dream of designing a life-saving drug. Maybe you’d like to focus on cancer research. Or maybe you’re looking for something a little bit different…if that’s the case, check out the 10 hands-on project ideas outlined below. 

1. Investigating the Effects of Exercise on Aging

Design a study to compare physical fitness levels in different age groups. Analyze how regular exercise impacts mobility and overall health in older adults. This is a great passion project idea for students interested in physical and occupational therapy.

2. Memory and Aging: Conducting Cognitive Tests

Create simple memory tests to assess cognitive function in various age groups. Explore how aging affects memory and problem-solving skills. Many older adults struggle with dementia, but cognitive decline isn’t always so dramatic. Regardless of the severity, cognitive decline poses lots of challenges, both logistically and emotionally. 

3. Nutrition and Aging: Dietary Needs of Older Adults

Research the nutritional requirements of older adults. Develop meal plans that cater to the specific dietary needs of the elderly. Volunteer at a nursing home or Meals on Wheels. Share your research with managers to see if you can implement some of your findings in a meaningful way.  

4. The Impact of Social Interaction on Mental Health

Study the effects of social activities on the mental well-being of older adults. Organize events or activities at hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities, then measure their impact on participants' mood and cognitive function. This can look a lot of different ways! You could organize a concert, teach an art class, arrange for a therapy dog to visit, or help plant a garden.  

5. Technology and Aging: Bridging the Digital Divide

Investigate how older adults use technology and the barriers they face. Sit down with older adults and help them use their computers, phones, televisions, kindles, and any other devices they may want to use. Take notes on similarities and patterns you may find. Then, you can work towards developing training programs to help seniors become more tech-savvy!

6. Designing Age-Friendly Environments

Evaluate public spaces and homes for their accessibility and safety for older adults. Are there wheelchair ramps, elevators, or chairlifts?  If these features were introduced, could it help make life easier for older adults? Other questions you could consider when evaluating public spaces and homes include: Is there adequate handicapped parking? Are there potholes in parking lots that pose a hazard? Is the text on signs large enough to be legible?

7. The Role of Caregivers in Elderly Care

Interview caregivers to understand the challenges they face and what support systems they need to perform their jobs well, while achieving a healthy work-life balance. Develop support resources or programs to assist caregivers in their roles.

8. Studying the Effects of Music Therapy on Seniors

Explore how music therapy can improve the mental and emotional health of older adults. Organize concerts, dance classes, karaoke parties, and more! Bring tambourines, shakers, drums, and other percussion instruments so people can actively participate. During these events, measure changes in mood and cognitive function.

9. Understanding Age-Related Diseases

Research common age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Create informative materials to raise awareness about prevention and management. Ask local libraries, nursing homes, and other businesses if you can leave some of these materials there as a public resource. 

10. Intergenerational Programs: Connecting Youth and Seniors

Develop programs that encourage interaction between high school students and older adults. Not only will this help dispel common stereotypes about older adults, but it will also cultivate a greater sense of empathy and community among both age groups. 

Conclusion: Taking Your Gerontology Research Further with Polygence

By pairing students with research program mentors, Polygence ensures that students have both the flexibility and structure they need to design, conduct, analyze, and present unique research projects tailored to their individual interests. Whether students are interested in public health, occupational therapy, medical research, elder law, or anything in between, Polygence can help students apply themselves and the knowledge they gain in meaningful ways. 

Not only are Polygence projects academically and personally enriching, but they also give students a competitive edge when it comes to college admissions. Check out our admissions results to learn more!