Gerontology (GP)

This course is designed to deal with the well-being of older persons and will provide students with an understanding of the roles and status of older people in our society. Theories of aging will be discussed along with the psychosocial, ecological and political implications of current theories. The course will examine the various issues that affect the elderly psychologically and socially, with regard to the individual, family, community and society. Examination of specific problems facing the current aging population will also be examined.

Presentation of the older adult in the context of family. Communication and counseling skills will be emphasized, along with family structure and processes, and evaluation of individual and family counseling techniques.

This course will examine the aging process through the course of later life. Structural, functional and biochemical changes will be examined along with physiological theories of aging. Class will focus on the important biological and physiological changes that occur during senescence.

Analysis of issues and challenges posed by factual and attitudinal relationships between aging and mortality. Specific problems that confront the elderly and the helping practitioner in dealing with death and dying will be explored. Among the topics to be studied are the experience of death and treatment of the dying; survivors and the bereavement process; and ethical issues.

This course will examine the effects of death and dying on the individual, families of the individual, the community and society. Among the topics to be studied are the experience of death and treatment of dying, the psychological stages of death, nursing homes, cultural aspects of dealing with death, the hospice concept, and medical ethics.