Careers in Aging APA Committee on Aging 2013

What Is Gerontology? Study of the aging process and individuals as they grow from midlife through later life including the study of physical, mental and social changes Study of the aging process and individuals as they grow from midlife through later life including the study of physical, mental and social changes Encompasses biology/health, psychology, sociology, economics, humanities, public policy Encompasses biology/health, psychology, sociology, economics, humanities, public policy Modern gerontology emerged after WWII, focusing on understanding aging processes and solving aging-related problems Modern gerontology emerged after WWII, focusing on understanding aging processes and solving aging-related problems An important concern has been reducing myths or stereotypes and emphasizing positive aspects of aging An important concern has been reducing myths or stereotypes and emphasizing positive aspects of aging

Aging Myths... and Facts 1. All older adults have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) 2. All older adults are depressed 3. Psychological treatment is ineffective in old age 4. Most old people live in nursing homes 5. Most older adults are preoccupied with thoughts of death 1. Only about 5% to 13% of individuals age 65 and older have AD 2. The prevalence of depression is lower in older adults than in younger age groups 3. Elders benefit from MH treatment as much as young adults do 4. 95% live on their own in the community 5. They are most concerned with staying independent

Aging Myths... and Facts (cont’d.) Aging Myths... and Facts (cont’d.) 6. Older adults are foolish if interested in sex 7. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks 8. Only old people are wise 6. Sexuality is a normal part of life for all adults 7. People can learn at any age. Staying engaged in learning and stimulating activities helps to stay mentally sharp and may delay the onset of cognitive impairment 8. People can be wise at any age, but older folks are more likely to have the life experiences that make a person wiser – pay attention to them!

Growing Need for Aging Specialists People are living longer than ever People are living longer than ever By 2050, 20% of U.S. population will be 65 or older; By 2050, 20% of U.S. population will be 65 or older; World-wide trend World-wide trend Older adults are a diverse group with unique interests and needs Older adults are a diverse group with unique interests and needs Older adults are becoming more racially and ethnically diverse – requiring people from diverse backgrounds for supportOlder adults are becoming more racially and ethnically diverse – requiring people from diverse backgrounds for support

Growing Need for Aging Specialists Currently, there are too few clinicians and researchers who work with older adults. Currently, there are too few clinicians and researchers who work with older adults. Many exciting and rewarding career opportunities exist. Many exciting and rewarding career opportunities exist. The need for workers will continue to grow for the next three decades. The need for workers will continue to grow for the next three decades. Jobs are available! Jobs are available!

Main Topics in the Psychology of Adult Development and Aging Intelligence, memory, and wisdom Intelligence, memory, and wisdom Personality, emotional development, and resilience Personality, emotional development, and resilience Social relations and interactions Social relations and interactions Health, physical functioning, and sensory changes Health, physical functioning, and sensory changes Life events, stressors, and coping Life events, stressors, and coping Scientific methods for studying change over time Scientific methods for studying change over time

Important Age-related Issues Stressors such as loss of loved ones, relocation, medical conditions, caregiving demands, change in work status, poverty Stressors such as loss of loved ones, relocation, medical conditions, caregiving demands, change in work status, poverty Can affect health and independenceCan affect health and independence Can lead to anxiety and depressionCan lead to anxiety and depression Resources such as experience, wisdom, resilience, and close relationships Resources such as experience, wisdom, resilience, and close relationships Can help with adjusting to life changesCan help with adjusting to life changes

Many types of psychologists work with older adults … Geropsychologists Geropsychologists Neuropsychologists Neuropsychologists Cognitive Science Researchers Cognitive Science Researchers Rehabilitation Psychologists Rehabilitation Psychologists Behavioral and Social Science Researchers Behavioral and Social Science Researchers Clinical Psychologists Clinical Psychologists Counseling Psychologists Counseling Psychologists Health Psychologists Health Psychologists And others…. And others….

Psychologists Provide Clinical Services and Conduct Research on Family relationships Family relationships Mental and substance abuse disorders Mental and substance abuse disorders Cognitive aging and memory Cognitive aging and memory Sexuality Sexuality Mental capacity assessment Mental capacity assessment Health promotion/chronic disease management Health promotion/chronic disease management Caregiving Caregiving Adjusting to life changes Adjusting to life changes

Work Settings Community – senior centers, retirement homes, social service agencies, religious organizations Community – senior centers, retirement homes, social service agencies, religious organizations Health - clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospice, VA medical centers Health - clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospice, VA medical centers Education - colleges, adult education, intergenerational programs Education - colleges, adult education, intergenerational programs Business and industry Business and industry Research labs Research labs

Careers in Aging Health provider – geropsychologist, geriatric social worker, direct service provider, case manager Health provider – geropsychologist, geriatric social worker, direct service provider, case manager Community, aging or social services worker Community, aging or social services worker Teacher/trainer Teacher/trainer Health Researcher Health Researcher There are opportunities for high school & college grads, as well as those with advanced degrees There are opportunities for high school & college grads, as well as those with advanced degrees

If You Are Interested In Graduate School…. Get some experience in work with older adults Get some experience in work with older adults Volunteer at your area agency on aging, or at a senior center or rehabilitation facility or with advocacy groups such as AARP.Volunteer at your area agency on aging, or at a senior center or rehabilitation facility or with advocacy groups such as AARP. Look for graduate programs with faculty members who work with older adults or have research programs with opportunities related to aging. Look for graduate programs with faculty members who work with older adults or have research programs with opportunities related to aging.

Resources for Students APA Aging Resources: APA Aging Resources: Office on Aging on Aging Division 20, Adult Development and Aging 20, Adult Development and Aging Division 12 Section 2, Clinical Geropsychology 12 Section 2, Clinical Geropsychology Geropsychology: It’s YOUR Future! (fact sheet) It’s YOUR Future! (fact sheet) Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (aging career info) Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (aging career info)

For more information... APA Office on Aging APA Office on Aging Coordination point for APA activities pertaining to aging and geropsychology; supports the APA Committee on AgingCoordination point for APA activities pertaining to aging and geropsychology; supports the APA Committee on Aging 750 First Street, NE Washington, DC / / fax or First Street, NE Washington, DC / / fax or