People age; it is an undeniable fact of life.
People, as far as we know, will always be aging whether or not we live to be 500, as some have suggested we are capable of, or to be 120, as Jeanne Louise Calment of France proved when she died at age 122. This makes for an incredibly fast growing and seemingly never extinguishable career opportunity in gerontology. People want to live forever, and they are willing to pay for it. Whether or not you are researching how this can be done, how to slow aging down, learning how to deal with the consequences of aging, or helping people through the process of aging, there are plenty of well paying options for you.
fields of gerontology and geriatrics have become increasingly present in universities, as well. The aging of Americans affects all facets of our society and our academic disciplines. Whether it is education, nursing, biomedical research, behavioral, psychological, or political studies, all can be applied to gerontology. Especially in the coming decades, the baby boomers of the past will be taking their next elderly steps to the future. In the past 10 years, studies have shown that 30 years have been added to the average life expectancy of an American, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you are looking for a career in a growing market, especially a market backed by the finances of older people with substantial savings, then geriatrics is the way to go. A medical degree is not necessary to deal with people from the older generation either, but some credentials do count. A few options could lead you to becoming a geriatric nurse or an allied health professional who helps the elderly with physical, recreational, and speech therapy. Social workers even can provide direct services such as providing transportation, delivering goods, or aiding in hygiene care for the elderly. Most elders need the same sort of attention and have the same needs, from housing to hygiene, and even medical attention. Geriatric social workers provide advice and support for family caregivers, not only in hospitals or nursing homes, but in law firms and bank trust departments as well.
There are opportunities in research, program planning, one-on-one services, product development, and education. Not only is it a growing market, it can also be spiritually satisfying to help another human being live a normal, healthy life in his or her old age.
