Gerontology

Gerontology is the study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of ageing. The word was coined by Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov in 1903, from the Greek γέρων, geron, "old man" and -λογία, -logia, "study of". The field is distinguished from geriatrics, which is the branch of medicine that specializes in the treatment of existing disease in older adults. Gerontologists include researchers and practitioners in the fields of biology, nursing, medicine, criminology, dentistry, social work, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, economics, political science, architecture, geography, pharmacy, public health, housing, and anthropology.

The multidisciplinary nature of gerontology means that there are a number of sub-fields which overlap with gerontology. There are policy issues, for example, involved in government planning and the operation of nursing homes, investigating the effects of an ageing population on society, and the design of residential spaces for older people that facilitate the development of a sense of place or home. Dr. Lawton, a behavioral psychologist at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center, was among the first to recognize the need for living spaces designed to accommodate the elderly, especially those with Alzheimer's disease. As an academic discipline the field is relatively new. The USC Leonard Davis School created the first PhD, master's and bachelor's degree programs in gerontology in 1975.

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Scholarships for Gerontology Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Up to $30,000 Varies See Details
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

AFA Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness College Scholarship

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

$5,000 April 01, 2024 See Details
 

AFA Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness College Scholarship

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

award

$5,000

deadline

April 01, 2024
See Details
 

Robert William Maxwell Scholarship

San Francisco State University

$4,000 March 25, 2024 See Details
 

Robert William Maxwell Scholarship

San Francisco State University

award

$4,000

deadline

March 25, 2024
See Details
 

SBB Research STEM Scholarship

SBB Research Group

$2,500 Varies See Details
 

SBB Research STEM Scholarship

SBB Research Group

award

$2,500

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Catholic Scholarship - Community Foundation of N. Central WI

Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin

$2,500 Varies See Details
 

Catholic Scholarship - Community Foundation of N. Central WI

Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin

award

$2,500

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Renaissance Society Scholarship

California State University, Sacramento

$2,500 Varies See Details
 

Renaissance Society Scholarship

California State University, Sacramento

award

$2,500

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Prof. Morris R. Lewenstein Memorial Scholarship

San Francisco State University

$2,500 April 08, 2025 See Details
 

Prof. Morris R. Lewenstein Memorial Scholarship

San Francisco State University

award

$2,500

deadline

April 08, 2025
See Details
 

William and Effa McMeans Scholarship

University of Iowa, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

$2,000 Varies See Details
 

William and Effa McMeans Scholarship

University of Iowa, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

award

$2,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Edward Prichett Scholarship

University of Iowa, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Up to $2,000 Varies See Details
 

Edward Prichett Scholarship

University of Iowa, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

award

Up to $2,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

NMR Gerontology Graduate Program Scholarship

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

$2,000 July 31, 2024 See Details
 

NMR Gerontology Graduate Program Scholarship

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

award

$2,000

deadline

July 31, 2024
See Details