Geriatric Care Degree Programs and Courses

<h3 id="section---WhatYouNeedToKnow">What You Need to Know</h3> <p>Typically, when one refers to geriatric care, one is referring to professionals who deal with the emotional and health concerns of the elderly. You can study this field at the undergraduate and graduate level, depending on the type of career you want to pursue. Certification is required for employment as a geriatric caregiver. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degrees</b> </td><td> Associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees are available</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Courses</b> </td><td> Nutrition and health issues, the psychology of aging, diversity awareness, social issues with the elderly, medical care for the elderly, social policy awareness, life plan development, the biology of aging, research methods, delivering health and social services to the elderly</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Recognizing and treating the physical and emotional healthcare needs of the elderly</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatIsGeriatricCare">What Is Geriatric Care?</h3> <p>The science around geriatric care is gerontology, which is the study of aging. According to the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), geriatric care may be thought of as the application of that science, along with other disciplines, toward the well-being of elderly people in the community (<i>www.aginglifecare.org</i>). </p> <h3 id="section---WhatTypesOfDegreeProgramsAreAvailable">What Types of Degree Programs Are Available?</h3> <p>A number of associate's degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree programs can help prepare an individual for a career in geriatric care. The following fields of study all offer insights on how to treat many issues that concern elderly patients, according to the ALCA: </p> <ul><li>Nursing </li><li>Social work </li><li>Psychology </li><li>Gerontology </li></ul><p>Because of the interdisciplinary nature of geriatric care, the ALCA works with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Commission for Case Management Certification (CCMC) and the National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM) to certify individuals who want to work with the elderly. Geriatric care nurse assistants, or GCAs, are nursing assistants who gain professional certification to help treat the elderly. Some schools offer certified nursing assistant (CNA) training as part of a GCA certificate program. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAboutDoctoralPrograms">What About Doctoral Programs?</h3> <p>Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs in gerontology can help prepare you for senior-level administrative positions at government, nonprofit and private facilities. These programs can also prepare you to work as a postsecondary teacher or researcher in gerontology. If you earn this type of degree, you might work as a consultant or advocate for governmental bodies or for healthcare, elder care and human services organizations. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatUndergraduateCourseworkIsInvolved">What Undergraduate Coursework Is Involved?</h3> <p>Coursework in geriatric care varies by the academic level you pursue. Certificate and bachelor's degree programs in gerontology or a geriatric care nursing assistant program may offer courses such as the following: </p> <ul><li>Nutrition and health issues </li><li>Psychology of aging </li><li>Diversity awareness </li><li>Social issues with the elderly </li><li>Medical care for the elderly </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatAboutGraduateCourses">What About Graduate Courses?</h3> <p>At the graduate level, pre-professional experience is often given through opportunities to observe or participate in elderly care services. You may also take advocacy courses to learn how to match elderly patients with services they need. Examples of course topics may include the following: </p> <ul><li>Social policy awareness </li><li>Life plan development </li><li>The biology of aging </li><li>Research methods </li><li>Delivering health and social services to the elderly</li></ul>