Gerontology as an Interdisciplinary Course

It is an interdisciplinary field of research that incorporates knowledge from various fields such as economics, health, communications, the arts, psychology, and sociology. This branch of studying brings together information from various fields to provide a comprehensive perspective and a greater knowledge of the issues that older adults face. Economies and aging population, and psychological changes are two resources that contribute to the gerontology field.

            Economies and aging population study fall under economics as a social science field. Psychological changes in the elderly are categorized under psychology, a field in social science. This source had added to my knowledge on gerontology issues in various ways. In terms of the impact of the aging population on economic growth, most extant evidence supports a negative correlation between the two factors. Many scholars agree with this viewpoint since adjustments in population composition impact savings, consumption, productivity, or the overall availability of human resources(Sasser & Moody, 2018).

According to my added knowledge on this topic, while a significantly higher age in a population may initially harm economic development, it also appears to encourage the replacement of the workforce for capital, which eventually leads to mechanization and increased economic production. If I looked at the effect of an aging population from one perspective, my understanding of how helpful the aging population can be would not have counted. 

            Old age brings psychological changes, and one of the changes is the need to accept authenticity over hopelessness. This resource has influenced my understanding of several areas. Some individuals are incapable of effectively overcoming this challenge which he aged need to address regrets, including being dissatisfied with their families or their own lives(Takahashi, 2018). Individuals will also have to embrace the fact that they will not achieve certain career goals or either they accept the costs of their career achievement, such as less time with their loved ones or poor individual health.

On the other hand, some members would develop a stable high level of reliability as they enjoy a new period of life. Once this comes, there is a wonderful chance for innovation. The aging can gain different abilities, engage in new interests, and prepare for death in peace. This understanding has impacted my knowledge of dealing with the different types of individuals aging who have a different perspective of life.

                        The study of gerontology is essential to a social scientist in various ways. Incomplete knowledge of gerontology has consequences for a social scientist. Lack of knowledge in this field may lead to a lack of explanation to changes observed in the lives of the aging people, thus leading to wrong decision-making for nurses when handling aging individuals(Sasser & Moody, 2018). As age and sickness are not related, social scientists should know and differentiate between changes that occur because of age and changes that may be pathogenic. Incomplete knowledge on this topic may lead to the incompetence of social scientists.

Incomplete knowledge on this topic may lead to embracing myths associated with the aging and elderly. These stereotypes lead to poor judgment and treatment of the aging population because gerontology offers learners an understanding of the aging population and builds compassion due to the vulnerability position of the population. In addition, insufficient knowledge may reduce the interest of working with the elderly for the social scientist. Poor problem solving involving aging may result from a lack of knowledge in gerontology because learners gain a sufficient understanding of dealing with medical issues, financial issues, and social issues of the elderly.

References

Sasser, J. R., & Moody, H. R. (2018). Gerontology: The basics. Routledge.

Takahashi, R. (2018). Philosophy of Gerontology with Science and Technology: Personal View of Bioethics & Gerontology in Advanced Future. HSOA Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 4(019), 1–7.