Social Gerontologists
Explore careers in social gerontology...
As we grow older, we often find ourselves in situations where we need outside assistance to navigate social, medical, economic, and personal issues. Luckily, a group of specialists called social gerontologists exists to help guide us through difficult times.
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Social gerontologists help simplify problems older adults experience, and work with them to ensure their needs are being met.
For example, medical treatments and diagnoses are stressful and often confusing, impacting the daily lives of older adults. Some older adults have difficulty navigating the red tape of medical bureaucracy, so they turn to social gerontologists to assist them.
Social gerontologists also work with older adults and the general population to both dispel myths on aging, and to develop programs and services benefiting older adults. Older adults also rely on social gerontologists to work as advocates on their behalf.
What Do Social Gerontologists Do?
Social gerontologists are primarily social workers, but their knowledge of the needs of older adults is applied in a wide variety of fields and occupations.
Social gerontologists work with older adults to assess their strengths and limitations biologically, socially, and psychologically in order to assist health care professionals. The information collected during the assessment presents a complete view of the patient's needs, and assists with creating a treatment plan for the patient.
Social gerontologists also work in case management. They work as interpreters and advocates for patients, helping to identify problems, such as financial or mobility issues, and also provide access to community resources for older adults. For example, someone who has recently lost his or her spouse may have relied on the spouse for driving and getting around. A social gerontologist identifies available community resources, such as buses or senior center or community vans, and shows the older adult how to use these services. This is done by acting as a liaison between the patient and the specific care-providing community.
When depression, stress, and grief affect older adults, social gerontologists help to assist patients to adjust to new life changes through direct counseling. Mental health issues are often linked to physical health issues in older adults, so individuals who understand their physical and mental health issues are more likely to comply with treatment.
Advocacy on the behalf of older adults is one of the primary responsibilities of social gerontologists. Older adults rely heavily on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, government programs requiring a lot of paperwork stating complex legal requirements. Advocates help older adults navigate through these systems. They also identify and request additional community programs and services aimed at older adults. Their advocacy work takes them to organizations and businesses, giving educational speeches and presentations, writing newsletters, and developing new community programs. They also might get other organizations, such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), involved on legal and social policy issues.
Social gerontologists also work with community organizations showing older adults and community members how to live very active lifestyles. Social gerontologists must be compassionate, emotionally mature, and sensitive to older adults' needs and problems.
Gerontology is a relatively new field, and the need for social gerontologists is increasing each year resulting from the expanding population of older adults. By 2030, the older population is projected to grow from 35 million to 71.5 million, representing nearly 20% of the population, according to a report from agingstats.gov.
Where Do Social Gerontologists Work?
As the population of older adults increases yearly, social gerontologists will find their skills in high demand. This means that social gerontologists will be needed to work in a variety of locations and job positions.
Social gerontologists work in many long-term care facilities, overseeing issues older adults may be facing from disability or medical illnesses. They organize group events and transportation options, and help individuals find and use different types of therapeutic as well as health care services.
At social service agencies, social gerontologists assess the daily activities of older adults, and how the agency can provide for them. Adults who have difficulty performing daily tasks such as walking, using the toilet, and eating often qualify for living assistance. If the adult is in need of assistance from an agency, the social gerontologist could arrange for home care, transportation services, emergency alert systems, and food assistance.
Social Gerontology Education and Employment
The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reports that job growth in public health social work will rise 22% by 2018 because of the demand from older adults, showing positive signs for those who wish to work as social gerontologists.
The field of Social Gerontology trains individuals either through the field of Social Work, or through a multidisciplinary approach that requires an in-depth knowledge of psychology and/or gerontology. Having degrees in any of these subjects prepares you to work as a social gerontologist. One of the best ways to prepare for a career in social gerontology is to look for volunteer or internship opportunities working with older adults.
Obtaining your degree is an important step to building a social gerontology career. For more information, request information from schools offering degrees in gerontology.