Careers in Aging
NEEDED: Gerontology Professionals
There is a shortage of professionals with expertise in aging-related fields.
The growth of the older adult population will continue. By 2050, 20% of Americans will be older than 65 years. Expanded career opportunities in diverse areas of gerontology are predicted.
There is an increasing need for people to work in the field of aging in a wide variety of capacities. Some may work directly with older adults in long-term care settings and community services. Others may work on behalf of older persons in the areas of research, fundraising, teaching, and advocacy.
Students pursuing the LTC Administration major at UNI will be qualified to sit for the Iowa boards in order to become a licensed nursing home administrator. Students pursing the social sciences track will be qualified to work in a variety of settings, including area agencies on aging, non-profit and government agencies, nursing homes, assisted livings, and adult day cares.
The following are career paths of recent UNI Gerontology graduates:
- Social Services Coordinator East Towne Care Center
- Social Services Coordinator at Windsor Nursing and Rehab
- Iowa Hospice Social Services
- Programs Director at Senior Star
- Social Service Director at Touchstone Living Center
- Adult Day Services Coordinator at Tenco Industries
- Administrator at Care Centre Management (Crest Haven Care Centre)
- Resident Coordinator at Western Home Communities
- Activity Director at Vinton Lutheran Home
- Nursing Home Administrator at Tripoli Nursing and Rehab
Careers in aging are diverse, rewarding, and in demand! The need for aging professionals will only increase in future decades!
The following fields are areas in which
gerontology-expertise is useful:
- Activity director
- Adult day care coordinator
- Aging services administrator
- Animal assisted therapist
- Architect
- Assistive technology specialist
- Audiologist
- Certified senior adviser
- Counselor
- Dieticians
- Elder family mediator
- Elder law attorney
- Estate planner
- Family therapist
- Financial planner
- Fitness trainer
- Geriatric case manager
- Geriatric opthalmologist
- Geriatric optometrist
- Geriatric pharmacist
- Geriatric psychiatrist
- Geriatrician
- Gero-psychologist
- Grant writer
- Grief counselor
- Health educator
- Hospice care provider
- Hospital discharge coordinator
- Interior designer
- Leisure services administrator
- Long-term care administrator
- Massage therapist
- Music therapist
- Nurse practitioner
- Occupational therapist
- Ombudsmen
- Patient representative
- Physical therapist
- Prosthetic specialist
- Recreational therapist
- Researchers
- Senior adult minister
- Social worker
- Speech therapist
- Thanatologist
- Travel agent
- Volunteer coordinator