Gerontology Certification Demand Rises
Gerontology Certification is in demand! Times are a changing as the need for obtaining a Gerontology certification rises! And its relevance is no longer simply limited to the nursing vocation. If you have ever explored a career in nursing, chances are pretty good that you are aware that nurse practitioners, licensed vocational nurses, practical nurses, nursing assistants, registered nurses and many other nursing professionals have been the most common makeup of professionals who get a Gerontology certification of one class or another. But this no longer holds true.
In today’s marketplace, anyone who comes in contact with the aging population on a regular professional basis should consider the advantages of obtaining some level of Gerontology certification. From clergy to nutrition, pharmaceutical, social work, long-term care specialists, finance, or any one of the many other disciplines that interact with the ever-increasing aging population, Gerontology certification can go a long way.
Not only for opening doors of employment, but also earning an increased wage that comes along with making your services irreplaceable in your present surroundings. Just the mere fact you took the time and extra effort to gain the knowledge and experience a Certificate in Gerontology offers goes a long way at giving you the tools at helping Aging America.
Consider The Demand
According to a 2008 report by the Institute of Medicine titled “Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce,” by 2030, nearly 78 million baby-boomers will be 65 years or older. This is double of that age group recorded in 2005. Other reports have estimated that by the middle of this century, 1 in 5 people (20% of the population) will be over the age of 65. This exploding segment of society is creating a critical demand for professionals with some level of knowledge and experience that follow Gerontology certification.
Gerontology is simply the study of the aging process and people as they age. A good course syllabus should include the study of mental, physical and social changes experienced during the aging process. It should also include how the aging population impacts society. The National Institutes of Health say that aging affects every organ in the body. Gerontology studies delve into the effects on both the physical and emotional state of being of the aging.
Employment Outlook
First of all, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the future of healthcare employment is strong. The burgeoning aging population is placing demand for social service and healthcare employment upwards of 22% increase in 2016. This is compared to where it was in 2006. Those with a background in Gerontology will find job prospects are excellent in today’s job market.
Gerontologists are more likely able to weave through the maze of the health care delivery system. They have a stronger propensity for accessing proper social service programs more likely suited for a specific client’s needs.
Obtaining a certification in Gerontology can help develop your marketing strategies as it applies to various business settings. A human resources director will utilize a Gerontology background in a much different way than would a pharmacist. A physical therapist would carry out experience in Gerontology much differently than a caregiver.
Furthermore, a Gerontology knowledge base offers opportunities outside of the healthcare field as well. Private geriatric care management is a major option. It is an industry related to the aging community. Small business or self-employed care possibilities exist as well. It is not uncommon to find Gerontologists who have transitioned into their own practices.
Other Career Opportunities
Finally, assuming a role in how various products and services are sold to the aged community can clash into ethical issues. Completing a Gerontology program gives you a plan for how to meet a given need. Furthermore, a good example can be cited by Sandra Timmerman, PhD. As the director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute, she found that people who were successful in sales were more holistic. Individuals with Gerontological backgrounds have knowledge of aging. A background that fits well with sales of products and services designed for the aging.
In conclusion, areas like financial planning may be just one niche in the marketplace for those who have obtained a Gerontology certification. But the opportunities are much broader. But the benefits go well beyond financial institutions. Nurse underwriters working with long-term care administrators and underwriters, as well as day care administration and home health care opportunities abound. Professions like health and fitness, or life coaching can benefit from a study in Gerontology as well.
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