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 biology aspects of aging.

It includes:

-the study of physical, mental, and social changes in older people as they age.
-the investigation of the changes in society resulting from our aging population.
-the application of this knowledge to policies and programs. As a result of the multidisciplinary focus of gerontology, professionals from diverse fields call themselves "gerontologists"

Gerontologists

Gerontologists are health care professionals who specialize in working with elderly patients. They provide their services to people in nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and other similar facilities. There are several different types of gerontologists. Research gerontologists conduct research on the aging process and the living environments of older persons in an effort to understand and enrich the lives of the elderly. Applied gerontologists work directly with the elderly, communicating with and analyzing individuals, families, and groups. Administrative gerontologists use their training and management skills to develop programs and coordinate services that are necessary for elderly services to run smoothly. These professionals may have degrees or training in nursing, psychology, sociology, or other social services-related professions. Gerontologists are responsible for educating older people by giving informative presentations, publishing books and articles that pertain to the elderly population, and producing relevant films and television programs.

Biogerontology

Biogerontology is the subfield of gerontology dedicated to studying the specifically biological processes behind aging. Biogerontologists are scientists who study these process and also include scientists who work to control, prevent and reverse aging in both humans and non-human animals.

Biogerontologists

• Aubrey de Grey
• Cynthia Kenyon
• Leonard Hayflick

See also

• Biological immortality
• Life extension
• Immortality
• Senescence
• Transhumanism

External links

• Careers in Aging
• MHA Health Careers Center
• Pedro Paulo Monteiro

• Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence
• The Methuselah Mouse Prize
• SENS (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence)