The Aging Population
Today we are very aware of the steady increase in the number and proportion of older people in American society.  There are many reasons for this…

·      Improvements in the standard of living, the control and elimination of many diseases and better medical care enable Americans to lead longer and healthier lives than in the previous century.

·      Currently, there are almost 35 million Americans aged 65 and older.  As a population, people over 65 account for nearly 13% of ALL Americans, compared to only 4% in 1900. 

·      The above factors are indicators that there will be significantly growth in the aging population in the near future.  Incredible numbers of people born in the years following World War II (Baby Boomers) will reach old age during the fist half of this century.  This will push the proportion of older Americans to nearly 22% within the next 30 years.

The Market Place
The older population is characterized by a great diversity, though often sharing health, social and economic concerns and needs.  This situation creates a growing market for special products and services specified to the needs of older Americans.

This growing market is also extremely diverse, including products and services for well older adults as wee as those with illness, serious illness and/or disability.  There is a wide range of products and services provided by large national corporations to small corporations; public and private agencies and programs at the federal, state and local levels.

Products and Services:
Following are some of the products and services older Americans and their families are looking for and benefiting from:

• Leisure, recreation and travel Services
• Retirement planning and job placement
• Counseling and case management
• Educational Programs
  • Alzheimer’s Associations
  • Area Agencies on Aging
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Agencies and corporations in community-based or long term care

·      Volunteer and intergenerational activities
·      Activity programming in corporate or community-based programs
·      Retirement housing for independent seniors
·      Health promotion and fitness programs
·      Adult day care
·      Specialized housing for senior with functional impairments
·      Long-term health care in skilled nursing facilities
·      Information and referral services
·      On-site and home-delivered meal programs
·      Home and community-based health services
·      Case management
·      Adult protective services
·      Senior advocacy
·      Area agency on aging programs and service coordination
·      Architectural, environmental and product design
·      Transportation
·      Senior center activities and services
·      Elder law

The Professional

Professionals from a wide range of educational backgrounds and interests are needed and can provide services to older adults.  Following are examples of professionals needed.  This is not a complete listing in view of limitless innovation in developing programs, products and services that professionals may conceive and create:

·      Social Workers
·      Nurses
·      Dieticians
·      Therapists—recreational, physical, occupational, speech and language, music, massage
·      Physicians
·      Lawyers
·      Teachers/educators
·      Psychologists
·      Health care and program administrators
·      Marketers
·      Business managers
·      Interior designers
·      Hospitality managers
·      Technology experts
·      Law enforcement personnel
·      Biologists

The Setting

Volunteers and professionals provide products and services in a variety of work settings; professional associations (i.e. AARP, Alzheimer’s Association); community agencies; facilities such as retirement communities, nursing homes, hospitals, adult day programs, health clinics; corporations and government agencies at the federal, state or local level.

Roles

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) has identified seven roles that trained gerontologists may play in the provision of products and services created for older adults.  The include:

Direct Service Provision:  working “one-to-one” with the elderly and their families to determine their individual needs and provide appropriate assistance.

Program Planning and Evaluation:  Establishing the interests and needs of older persons at the community level, designing programs to meet these needs, and determining the effectiveness of such programs.

Management and Administration:  Overseeing the daily operation of facilities, agencies or programs addressing the needs of older adults and their families.

Marketing and Product Development:  Identifying the unmet produce and service needs of older persons and informing them of new products or services in an effective and acceptable manner.

Advocacy:  Articulating the need of older people and urging the adoption of public or private programs designed to meet these needs.

Education and Training:  Developing and delivering educational programming responsive to the needs of older persons or those who serve them.

Research:  Carrying out research on the nature of the aging process and diseases of aging and on the effectiveness of intervention programs and policies.

 

Adapted from:  Careers in Aging, AGHE, 1996, p.8

Employment Compensation and Benefits

AGHE’s booklet, Careers in Aging: Opportunities and Options, cites the following benefits of selecting a career in the field of gerontology:

·      Within six months of graduation, approximately 70% of gerontology/geriatric [dementia] graduates are employed full-time in a professional position related to aging.  This percentage is similar to that achieved by graduates in other human service fields, but is higher than for graduates from liberal arts programs in general. p.13

·      Beginning annual salaries range from $18,000 to $31,000 for persons with a bachelor’s degree and little experience.  Salaries can rise in metropolitan areas to #30,000 to $45,000 annually. P. 14.

·      Professionals with a master’s degree but limited experience can expect higher entry pay—usually in the $25, 000 to $35,000 range.  Experienced professionals earn from $35,000 to $75,000 per year, while annual salaries for administrators range from $45,000 in rural areas to $80,000 or higher in large areas.  P. 14

 ·      A survey of Midwestern gerontology program graduates found the 85% were satisfied with their current jobs, were enthusiastic about their career choice, and plan to continue working in the field of aging. P.15.

            Links for Additional Information and Resources:

AARP
www.aarp.org

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA)
www.aahas.org

American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
www.americangeriatrics.org

American Society on Aging (ASA)
www.asaging.org

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A)
www.N4A.org

National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA)
www.nasua.org

National Caucus and Center on Black Aged (NCBA)
www.ncoa.org

National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA)
www.nhcoa.org

National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)
www.nicoa.org

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
www.nia.nih.gov

Older Women’s League (OWL)
www.owl-national.org

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
www.geron.org

U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA)
www.aoa.gov

U.S. Census Bureau Population Division, Aging Studies Branch
www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo

www.CareersInAging.com
This is a website dedicated to providing information and support to persons interested in pursuing careers in gerontology.  Also included is information on scholarships and fellowships.

www.AgeWork.com
The AgeWork website is free to all job seekers and provides you with access to employers and jobs in the field of aging.