Psy 320: Introduction to

Geropsychology
What is Gerontology?

PRESENTED BY

Dr. Rob Winningham

 What is Gerontology?
Gerontology is the study of the elderly, and
of the aging process itself. It is to be
distinguished from geriatrics, which is the
study of the diseases of the elderly.
Gerontology covers the social, psychological
and biological aspects of aging.
 What is Gerontology?
Another distinction that has been made is that
gerontology is concerned with healthy aging
while geriatrics is concerned with problems
associated with aging. Although, I will argue that
the lines between geriatrics and gerontology are
becoming blurred because the field and our
understanding is increasingly interdisciplinary.
 What is Gerontology?
Neuroscience, psychology and medicine are
converging on numerous issues related to
aging. Moreover, lifestyle factors such as
cognitive exercise, physical exercise, social
support, good nutrition, personality, and good
cardiovascular health are associated with
preventing age-related health problems.
 History of Gerontology
Gerontology is a relatively new field. A few publications
exist before 1900 but relatively little research had been
done on the topic until the 1930s and 1940s. But still,
developmental psychology focused primarily on children
during the 1900s. Then a movement towards life-span
psychology and finally aging adulthood took root in
psychology. And, in the past 25 years we have seen an
increase in the quantity and quality of research in
gerontology.
 Question: Why has it taken so
long for gerontology to get going?
A belief that after young adulthood people
experienced a slow and steady decline
Life expectancies have increased
dramatically in the past century due to
better nutrition, sanitation, and some life
saving advances.
 Why study gerontology and
geriatrics?
Our population is aging and these fields
are and will continue to improve the
quality of life for older adults.
In my opinion, gerontology is the field in
which young people interested in helping
others can make the most impact.
 Demographic Information
Baby boomer's (DOB 1946-1964) are America's
largest ever cohort.
Baby boomers parents had many children while
boomers are having relatively few.
Every 7 seconds another boomer turns 55, that will
be 686 people during the next hour.
There is an increased life expectancy (up 15 years by
2050 according to 2000 Census Bureau)
 Demographic Information
According to the U.S. Census Bureau,
the population of people 85 and older
increased by 33.2 percent between the
years 2000 and 2010. This will trend will
continue and even accelerate once the
boomers begin to turn 85.
 Demographic Information
Courtesy of NationalInstituteonAging,BureauoftheCensus
 Demographic Information
Courtesy of NationalInstituteonAging,BureauoftheCensus
 Demographic Information
The number of women in the work force grew
from 20.5 percent in 1915 to more than 50
percent in 1995.
In the past, many women would care for aging
parents and grandparents. However, this is
less likely now because many more women
have entered the work force.
 Demographic Information
We have a highly mobile society. People are less
likely to care for aging family members because
they dont live in the same communities.
More older adults will be living alone, increasing
from 10.9% in 2005 to 15.2% in 2020. The number
of older adults living alone rises with age.
Challenges and Opportunities
The aging population will live longer and
require more services from a relatively smaller
generation. This will certainly pose challenges
but there are also many opportunities if we
plan ahead. We can help maintain a maximal
quality of life for older adults and take
advantage of new employment opportunities.
 Aging Video
http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxBos
ton-Joe-Coughlin-Aging-2
 Societal Changes
Family environments have changed.
Employment opportunities will change (more on
that later).
Social Security, as we know it, will have to
change.
Insurance, as we know it, will have to change.
Living environments will change.
 Living Environments
Currently there are more than 6 million
people living in specialized older adult
situations. It is estimated that by 2040
that number will soar to 24 million.
This change will create new labor
intensive industries.
 Living Environments
Nomadic, snow birds
Retirement communities
Assisted living facilities
Nursing homes and memory wards
 Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement
Communities
Aging in Place
Lifelong commitment
 Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities (ALFs) provide a
certain amount of care but usually less than
nursing homes.
There are over 20,000 ALFs in the U.S., with
over 1 million residents. This number is
increasing rapidly. These facilities employ
large numbers of people.
 Nursing Homes and Memory
Wards
Evans et al., (2003) wrote that the prevalence of
Alzheimers Disease (AD) in the United States will
increase from 4.5 million in 2000 to between 11 and 16
million by the year 2050.
Most AD patients ultimately live in specialized facilities.
These facilities are very labor intensive given the need for
low caregiver : patient ratios. Moreover, these facilities
require significant support from non-caregiving employees
 Aging is Expensive
The current cost of Alzheimers Disease has been
estimated at more than 100 billion dollars each year.
The average patient will incur $174,000 in expenses.
Within 10 years, annual Alzheimer's -related Medicare
costs will increase from $32 billion to almost $50
billion- even before the baby boomers enter the age of
risk.
 Changes in the Workforce:
A Job Boom?
Obviously, the aging population will cause numerous
changes to this countrys workforce.
Current situation may be viewed negatively:
Jobless economic recovery?
Outsourcing U.S. jobs
Increasing worker productivity
Limited manufacturing
 There are many opportunities
Skilled vacancies will become available:
Research and Writing
Retirement Industry
Leisure Industry
Social Work and Senior Services
Education
Medical Industry
 Research
Pharmacological research
Genetics
Nutrition
Gerotechnology and assistive devices
Public policy
Advocacy
Alzheimers Disease
Memory and Cognitive Enhancement
 Alzheimers Research
My message is simple. You will not you cannot
save Medicare and Medicaid unless you get
Alzheimer's disease under control. You will not you
cannotbalance federal and state budgets if you let
Alzheimer's disease continue on its present course.

Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO of the

Alzheimer's Association
 Alzheimers Research
In 2003, the National Institutes of
Health spent $640 million on research
related to Alzheimers Disease.
Millions more is being spent to research
other aging issues.
 Research
We have done and are doing a good job of
extending longevity. Now we need to do a
better job of increasing quality of life for older
adults.
We also need to help them maintain their
independence for as long as they can.
 Retirement Living Communities
(480% increase in next 36 years)
Dieticians
Nurses/CNAs
Activity Directors
Cooks
Drivers
Physical plant support
 Leisure Industry
"RV sales are right ahead of a big demographic
wave, and we've just barely scratched that
surface," according to William Gibson, RV
industry analyst with Banc of America Securities.
Over 7 million U.S. households have RVs and the
growth rate is very high.
Currently this is a $10 Billion a year industry.
 Leisure Industry
Older adults are becoming healthier, more
fitness conscious, and more financially stable
than previous generations.
Resort Living
Cruise ships
 Leisure Industry
Cruise passengers worldwide reached a
record 10 million in 2000 and doubled again
to nearly 22 million by 2010. This trend is
likely to continue.
 Leisure Industry
95 million visits are made to spas in the
U.S. annually generating $5 billion.
Spas generate more in revenue than ski
resorts ($3.1 billion) and only slightly
less than box office receipts ($7.5
billion).
 Social Work and Senior Services
Navigate federal bureaucracy
End of life care
Advocate on older adults behalf
Work with medical personal and patients families
Financial services for older adults
Senior centers and advocacy groups
 Education
Lifelong learning specialists
Continuing education for worker and
volunteers (8 in 10 boomers expect to
work at least part time after they
retire).
 Writing
According to a freelance writers association, aging
baby boomers will provide a market for writers.
There are many senior publications and websites
Health issues
Financial issues
Love and romance
Any human interest story
 Medical Industry
Over the next decade, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be
255,000 openings for therapists,
including physical and respiratory
therapists and speech pathologists.
 Medical Industry - Nursing
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, more than one million new
and replacement nurses will be needed.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects
a sharp increase in the need for nurses
nationwide in the coming years.
 Medical Industry
Physical Therapists (neurological,
cognitive, and ambulatory)
Occupational Therapists
Speech Therapists
Geriatric specialists
 Ways to age and older
adulthood
Chronological age
Biological age-wrinkles, cardiovascular
health, telomeres, gray hair, speed of
processing
 Ways to age and older
adulthood
Functional age-what do they do (work,
childcare, socialize, travel)
Psychological age (e.g., adaptiveness, willing
to try new things?)
Social age (i.e., relative to social norms
regarding lifestyle and milestones)
 In general we can talk about three
classes of aging
Young-old (65-74)
Old-old (75-84)
Oldest-old (85+)
The above terminology is well accepted among
researchers but we need to keep in mind that there is
a great deal of individual variability. And, it may be
offensive to an active 75 year old to call the old-old.
 Discussion Question

Briefly, what are your career goals?

Psy 320: Introduction to

Geropsychology