One out of eight Americans ”” 34 million people ”” are over the age of 65. By the year 2040, almost 80 million Americans will be 65 years of age or older according to the College Health and Human Services. The gerontology program offers students a broad view of the aging process.
“We have students from all majors, from all over the university,” said Dr. Helen Miltiades, director of the gerontology program. “We do the minor as something that compliments the student’s major.”
Gerontology is the scientific study of biological, psychological and sociological phenomena associated with old age and aging.
The program is one of the smallest in the university with only 58 students enrolled in the minor. Students are exposed to many different topics, including biology, psychology, sociology, humanities and social work.
Students taking electives in their personal area of interest, applied experiences, research opportunities and volunteer activities, gain an understanding of age-related issues that can be applied to their major.
Dr. E. Jane Middleton, chair of the Department of Social Work Education said, “What I would like to see any student at the school do [is] not just gerontology, [but] have a well- rounded understanding of human beings, how we learn, grow and change overtime. I think it’s more than just an age group, but life on a continuum.”
Students can learn how to become better at dealing and working with their families and community as the two grow older.
The gerontology program organizes many different events throughout the year for students to participate in such as the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk. The event takes place in the fall and gives students an opportunity to work with a select group of seniors.
Ashley Fletcher, a senior in the child development program, enrolled in Gerontology 100 last semester as a general education elective, and said the course really helped her appreciate what she sees as the important things in life.
“As I grow older and appreciate different things, I think the study is important for students to be aware of people who are aging and help others and to be supportive of that,” Fletcher said.
There are many elective courses Fresno State students can pick from that satisfy the general education guidelines.
Students can learn more about aging by enrolling in courses such as Gerontology 100, Images of Aging in a Contemporary Society; Gerontology 18, Women and Aging; Gerontology 111, Heritage and Aging and Gerontology 10S, The Journey of Adulthood. Gerontology 10S is a service-learning course and requires students to help seniors in the community.