Considering a Gerontology Course?
If you want to learn more about gerontology, it is an excellent idea to do a gerontology course. A gerontology course will teach you all you need to know about gerontology. Not to mention, this could be your first steps to a career in gerontology. It can be a very rewarding role to work in as you get to help people. The good news is there are tons of gerontology courses currently available right now. They offer good flexibility too for those leading busy lives. Gerontology courses come in full-time, part-time and evening class options, in person and online.
What is Gerontology?
Gerontology is essentially the study of aging processes and individuals across the life course. It includes the study of mental, physical and social changes in people as they age and the investigation of changes in society resulting from our aging population. In addition, it includes the application of this knowledge to programs and policies. Gerontology is multidisciplinary in that it integrates or combines several separate areas of study.
GSA fosters collaboration between nurses, behavioural and social scientists, physicians, biologists, psychologists, economists, policy experts, social workers, those who study the humanities and the arts and many other scholars and researchers in aging. Geriatrics, the branch of medical science concerned with the treatment and prevention of diseases in older people is part of the broader field of gerontology.
As a result of the multidisciplinary focus of gerontology, professionals from diverse fields call themselves gerontologists. Gerontologists improve the quality of life and promote the wellbeing of people as they age through education, research, practice and the application of interdisciplinary knowledge of the aging populations and aging process.
What Will I Learn?
Each gerontology course varies depending on the course provider and the level of the course. However, there are some topics you can expect to learn about in every gerontology course. Therefore, you can expect to learn about research methods and leadership in terms of professional and clinical leadership. In addition, you will explore professional critical reflexivity and competence and contemporary approaches in gerontological nursing. Not to mention, you will learn specialist gerontological practice in the acute care setting and integrated approaches to care to the older person.
You will also explore rehabilitation of the frail older person and biopsychosocial perspectives of older persons. Finally, you will explore mental health disorders and dementia in older adults and contemporary issues, legislation and quality improvement in older persons services. Some courses may cover more than you read here. If you would like an exact list of modules, do not hesitate to get in touch with your course provider for more information. They will be delighted to help you to answer any questions.
Career Opportunities
After completing your gerontology course, you can work in the following roles.
- Social worker
- Mental health health associate
- Geriatric care manager
- Geriatric advocate
- Healthcare business manager
- Public policy
- Grant Writers
- Personal Assistants
- Art Therapists
- Grief Counsellors
- Pharmacists
- Assisted Living Administrators
- Health Educators
- Physical Therapists
- Herbalists
If you’re serious about doing a gerontology course, check out courses near you in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.
