Associate of Health Sciences - Gerontology (105441)

Graduates of the Gerontology program have the knowledge and skills needed to provide seamless quality service to older adults and their families. Gerontology career pathways include a wide variety of service and leadership opportunities related to business and finances; housing options; entertainment and travel; health and wellness; case coordination; public policy and advocacy; and consumer service. A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

• Direct Service Provider: Works "one-on-one" with older adults and their families to provide services, assess needs, educate, and facilitate coordination of resources and delivery of services. • Program Planner and Evaluator: Surveys the community to gauge the interests and needs of older adults, designing and implementing programs to meet these needs, and evaluating the programs' effectiveness. • Manager/Coordinator/Administrator: Supervises and directs the daily operation of facilities, agencies, or programs that serve the aging population. • Marketing and Product Development Professional: Targets unmet product and service needs of older adults and their care partners. Develops and implements solutions to enhance productivity, independence, and safety. Educates and refers older adults to creative technologies that may allow them to "age in place." • Advocate: Fosters policies and programs to benefit the older adult population based on knowledge of unmet needs and the ability to communicate in public and private forums. • Educator/Trainer: Develops and delivers educational programming responsive to the needs of the community, older adults and those who serve them, including informal caregivers. • Life Enrichment Provider: Works in small groups or "one-on-one" with older adults to engage and promote fulfillment of life. • Environmental Designer: Designs safe living environments for the elderly population. • Financial Management/Legal Support Service Provider/Guardian: Serves as primary contact person for management of financial and legal issues for aging clients and their families.

Program Outcomes: • Provide recommendations for successful aging and optimal quality of life. • Evaluate physical, social, psychological and spiritual aspects of aging. • Identify and refer older adults to needed services. • Exhibit behaviors and conduct that reflect safe, legal, and ethical gerontological practices. • Evaluate and advocate in the area of aging public policy. • Exhibit professional communication. • Develop ethical and cultural awareness related to aging. • Plan, develop, implement and deliver appropriate activities to meet physical, social, psychological needs of the aging population. • Create a personal professional development plan. • Incorporate evidence-based gerontology practices into delivery of services. • Implement activities to meet the needs of the aging population.