What is the Meaning & Definition of Gerontology


Gerontology is the science that deals with the study of old age and all those phenomena that characterize it. It is double the goal that will take this discipline on the one hand, prolong life and improve the quality of life on the other to forgive them older adults.
As opposed to geriatrics, which commonly associated with it is, gerontology primarily deals with the health of older adults, especially of all aspects that have to do with the promotion of his health.
As a result of the approach that will be necessary and essential to also deal with psychological, demographic, economic and social aspects that are linked precisely with the health of individuals.
All these issues are essential to know because life of a few decades this part fabulously has changed, for example, family ties are not usually as narrow of what used to be, therefore, it is essential to address the economic issue, for example, because the elderly of these times must have economic autonomy as a result of this issue.
And also another typical issue of this age is the solitude in which many are immersed, for example, the elderly who lost her life partner/a will experience solitude and therefore the gerontology cannot remain alien to this problem so recurrent and punctual.
This is biology, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education and demographics, among other areas, will help to gerontology in the development of theories and solutions.
Then, gerontology, in turn, is divided in the following specialties: biological Gerontology (deals with the understanding of biological processes associated with aging, such as antioxidants, radical free, diet, immunology, among others), Clinical Gerontology (attends the medical aspects of aging: social and functional psychological problems linked to this stage), educational Gerontology (also designated as geragogia (, understands in all issues related to the education and learning of the elderly) and social gerontology studies the participation in society of the elderly and how it impacts the aging that goes through; (through various techniques and tools assess the conditions of the adult in this aspect and then will decide what will be the best policy of reintegrate it into society if necessary, because the objective is to achieve the well-being of the elderly, above all things).
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.