Gerontology Course

Lesson 1 • Major Theories of Aging

Surveys biological, psychological, and sociological theories that explain aging processes. Equips students to evaluate research through multiple theoretical lenses.

Lesson 2 • Interdisciplinary Approaches to Gerontology

Maps contributions from medicine, sociology, psychology, and public health to aging science. Demonstrates why no single discipline fully explains aging.

Lesson 3 • Demographics of Global Aging

Examines population aging trends, dependency ratios, and regional variation. Provides the epidemiological foundation for understanding societal impact.

Lesson 4 • Defining Aging and Gerontology

Clarifies what aging means across disciplines and how gerontology emerged as a field. Anchors all subsequent content in shared terminology and scope.

Lesson 1 • Cellular and Molecular Aging

Covers telomere shortening, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence as drivers of aging. Provides the molecular basis for understanding systemic age-related changes.

Lesson 2 • Musculoskeletal and Neurological Changes

Analyzes sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and central nervous system aging. Connects these changes to mobility, fall risk, and cognitive function.

Lesson 3 • Integumentary and Gastrointestinal Aging

Reviews skin, hair, and digestive system changes that affect comfort, nutrition, and self-image. Grounds clinical assessment in observable biological markers.

Lesson 4 • Endocrine and Immune System Aging

Examines hormonal shifts and immunosenescence that alter metabolism and disease resistance. Explains why older adults face heightened infection and chronic disease risk.

Lesson 1 • Personality and Emotional Development

Examines how personality traits stabilize or shift in later life and how emotional regulation improves. Connects these patterns to well-being and interpersonal relationships.

Lesson 2 • Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults

Covers prevalence, presentation, and screening of depression, anxiety, and late-life psychosis. Prepares students to recognize and refer mental health concerns appropriately.

Lesson 3 • Psychological Assessment of Older Adults

Introduces validated tools for assessing cognition, mood, and functional status in older populations. Ensures accurate data collection for care planning.

Lesson 4 • Cognitive Changes in Normal Aging

Distinguishes age-related cognitive shifts from dementia, covering memory, processing speed, and attention. Establishes the baseline for identifying pathological change.

Lesson 1 • Social Inequalities and Aging

Applies intersectionality to understand how gender, race, class, and sexuality compound aging disadvantage. Grounds advocacy in structural analysis.

Lesson 2 • Social Roles and Role Transitions

Examines retirement, widowhood, and grandparenting as major role transitions in later life. Links role change to identity, purpose, and social engagement.

Lesson 3 • Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Analyzes intergenerational family structures, caregiver burden, and support networks. Prepares students to assess family systems as resources and stressors.

Lesson 4 • Social Isolation and Loneliness

Distinguishes social isolation from loneliness and documents their health consequences. Introduces community-based strategies to promote social connectedness.

Lesson 1 • Chronic Pain and Sensory Impairment

Addresses underreported chronic pain and age-related sensory loss and their functional consequences. Introduces multimodal assessment and management approaches.

Lesson 2 • Dementia and Cognitive Disorders

Covers Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia across stages. Distinguishes dementia subtypes to guide appropriate care planning.

Lesson 3 • Falls, Frailty, and Mobility Disorders

Analyzes fall risk factors, frailty phenotype, and gait disorders as interconnected geriatric syndromes. Prepares students to conduct multifactorial fall risk assessments.

Lesson 4 • Urinary Incontinence and Sleep Disorders

Examines prevalence, types, and management of incontinence and sleep disturbances in older adults. Reduces stigma and improves quality-of-life outcomes through targeted intervention.

Lesson 1 • Social and Environmental Assessment

Evaluates social support networks, caregiver capacity, and home environment safety. Integrates social determinants into a holistic care plan.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Comprehensive Assessment

Defines the goals, domains, and team-based structure of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Establishes why standard medical evaluation is insufficient for older adults.

Lesson 3 • Care Planning and Goal Setting

Synthesizes assessment findings into prioritized, patient-centered care plans with measurable goals. Demonstrates how to align clinical recommendations with patient values.

Lesson 4 • Functional Status and ADL Assessment

Teaches measurement of activities of daily living and instrumental activities to gauge independence. Links functional status to care setting and resource allocation decisions.

Lesson 1 • Financing Long-Term Care

Examines public insurance programs, private pay, and long-term care insurance as funding mechanisms. Prepares students to counsel older adults on financial planning for care.

Lesson 2 • Continuum of Care Settings

Describes home-based, community-based, and institutional care options across the dependency spectrum. Enables students to match care needs to appropriate settings.

Lesson 3 • Transitions of Care and Care Coordination

Addresses risks during care transitions—hospital to home, acute to post-acute—and coordination strategies. Reduces readmissions and adverse events through structured handoffs.

Lesson 4 • Palliative and Hospice Care

Distinguishes palliative care from hospice, covering eligibility, services, and goals-of-care conversations. Integrates comfort-focused care into the long-term care continuum.

Lesson 1 • Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

Develops skills for effective communication, role clarity, and conflict resolution within geriatric care teams. Demonstrates how team-based care improves older adult outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Program Development for Older Adults

Guides students through needs assessment, program design, and evaluation for aging-focused services. Produces practitioners capable of building community-level solutions.

Lesson 3 • Professional Development and Self-Care

Addresses compassion fatigue, reflective practice, and career pathways in gerontology. Sustains long-term professional effectiveness in a demanding field.

Lesson 4 • Evidence-Based Practice in Gerontology

Applies research appraisal skills to select and implement evidence-based gerontological interventions. Bridges the gap between research findings and clinical or community practice.