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Gerontologist

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Dale Lund is the director of the gerontology department at the University of Utah. He has been in this field since 1980. But he didn't actually plan a career in gerontology.

"It was more opportunity becoming available," he says. "For example, my educational background was as an undergrad major in psychology. I earned a master's and PhD in sociology."

While completing his doctoral work, an opportunity opened up for Lund to work on a research project related to aging. "That opportunity was instrumental in me moving my career in that direction."

He says both the challenge and reward in this career are the same -- the newness of the field of aging. "For example, other disciplines like psychology and sociology go back a few hundred years, but gerontology can only be traced back to the mid- or late 1940s."

The challenge is that, because it is such a new field, there is not as much information and knowledge available. "But at the same time, that provides all kinds of opportunities to do pioneering work."

Lund believes that gerontologists make a big difference in our world. "Research begins by asking good questions. A good question is one that when you answer the question, you're better able to help people."

He says that some fields can do research on very unimportant topics, "and when you get the knowledge that comes from it, many people would say 'who cares.'"

That is not so in gerontology. This is a field that helps make peoples' lives better as they get older.

But research is not the only important part of gerontology. "We also need people who are very skilled at applying the knowledge into programs and services. The people who do research aren't always the same ones who do the application."

He adds that you have to have good coordination between people who do the research and those who are skilled at taking the knowledge and making programs and services better.

He says that one important change in this field over the years has been that it is no longer just the study of older adults. It is now the study of aging and older adults.

"That brings a lot of profound differences to the field," says Lund. "If the field is now the study of aging, we need to study people over their entire life course, and not just become interested in them when they get old."

His advice to students who might be interested in gerontology is that they should not over-identify with one field. "In other words, we don't believe that psychologists, sociologists, pharmacists, doctors or nurses have all the answers," he says.

"It's a field where people from very diverse backgrounds can come together and collaborate, and probably do a much better job of helping others because they work more in teams."

Bill Krever is the president and CEO of a charitable organization for seniors.

"I selected this line of work because I enjoy working with seniors. I particularly enjoy working with active seniors in a leisure environment."

What does he find most challenging about this field? "Meeting the ever-increasing needs of our senior population with decreasing government funding. People are living longer and remaining in their own homes much longer. While this is the desired outcome, it has its challenges."

He says he would advise students to "go out and volunteer with a seniors' organization."

He advises that you find work in a nursing home or a seniors' center. "Become aware of your own likes and dislikes within the entire spectrum of services for seniors. This will help you decide what type of seniors you prefer to work with, and will also give you some idea of the discipline that you prefer."

Krever says that this is a field that is tied to one's personal values. "Many positions in gerontology are with not-for-profit organizations, so the entire focus of the organization is on helping people and building better communities."

Eileen Reilly has an elder care consulting company. Her company provides a wide range of services for the elderly, their families and companies that work with the elderly.

"I saw the population was aging, and I knew there would be opportunities. Also, I love old people," says Reilly.

One of the most challenging things about this field, in Reilly's opinion, is "being able to maintain your optimistic outlook on life while working with old, infirm and dying people."

An example of this is an experience she had with a 79-year-old lady who was recently referred to her because of failing health.

"I have been with her for nine months and she was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. She has been in denial since the diagnosis, and I gently remind her when she talks about her 'flu' that she has been diagnosed with cancer."

Although it can be sad at times, Reilly still finds this field rewarding. She says the elderly are very appreciative of anything she does for them. "Old people give me more than I can give them by virtue of their sage and wisdom about life."

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