Aging is an inevitable part of the human experience. It affects us physically, psychologically and socially. As Golda Meir once put it, “Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you are aboard, there is nothing you can do.”
Gerontology is the scientific study of aging, a multidisciplinary field that explores how and why we age across the life span. It brings together biology, psychology, sociology and public health to better understand the aging population and improve how we care for older adults.
As a nurse and now physician, I’ve cared for many older adults in my home state of Florida. I’ve seen firsthand how differently people experience the aging process. Studying gerontology has helped me improve patient outcomes and better prepare for the challenges and opportunities that come with a growing older population.
What is gerontology?
A simple definition is that gerontology is the scientific study of aging. You see this term most often in medical and healthcare contexts. Healthcare providers can specialize in gerontology and all its nuances to specifically care for an elderly population and the health concerns that aging brings on.
The scope of gerontology vs. geriatrics
There’s a difference between geriatrics and gerontology.
Geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating age related diseases in older adults. Gerontology, on the other hand, is the scientific study of the aging process itself.
So, what is gerontology in practice? It’s a study of aging that goes beyond physical health to examine how aging affects the mind, body and social connections over time. This broader view helps us better support the aging population in meaningful, preventive and person-centered ways.
In clinical settings, recognizing the distinction between geriatrics and gerontology is essential. During my nursing career in South Florida, I learned that focusing solely on a patient’s symptoms isn’t enough. When admitting or discharging older adults, we must also evaluate their mental health, emotional well-being and social support. That’s what gerontology brings to healthcare—a deeper understanding of the whole person.
Afterall, these disciplines don't begin and end with an elderly body. You experience aging throughout your own life course. Children grow into adolescence, youth grows into middle age and then into later stages of aging.
As healthcare providers, we want to help patients live healthier lives—and that goes far deeper than what happens in our bodies. Consider what your life might look like as you age, and ask yourself what might be needed to hold a high quality of life through these 4 angles.
1. The biology of the aging population
At the biological level, aging is marked by a gradual decline in cellular function, resilience and coordination across systems, including the immune system. Researchers have developed several theories to explain these aging processes, each offering insight into the age-related illnesses we commonly see in clinical settings.
Key biological theories of aging
In medical school, I studied these models closely, and I’ve since seen them play out in real circumstances with my patients.
Cellular senescence
Over time, cells lose the ability to divide.
Clinically, I see this as slower wound healing in older persons and increased vulnerability to infection.
Human cells can only divide a limited number of times before entering a state of senescence due to shortened telomeres.
Free radical theory
Free radical theory posits that oxidative stress caused by unstable molecules (free radicals) can damage cells, contributing to diseases like heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. Theoretically, free radicals connect to our biology as well as environmental factors which impact our life expectancy.
Genetic programming
Theories of genetic programming assert that certain genetic markers may influence longevity and susceptibility to illness. We have seen that certain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, occur with certain genetic variants.1
2. The lifestyle of the aging population
These scientific concepts have very practical implications. Preventive care—including smoking cessation, regular exercise, good nutrition and staying current on vaccinations—can have a major impact on how individuals experience aging--and the health challenges that come with it.
As with everything in life, some factors of your life and wellness are already in your DNA. But a huge percentage of life and wellness comes down to your habits and choices.
As healthcare providers, we should assess each patient’s willingness to address harmful habits, like poor nutrition or high stress. Our role includes encouraging change, supporting autonomy and promoting healthy aging wherever possible.
3. The psychology of the aging population
As humans, we age not just physically, but mentally too.
This psychological side of aging makes up a significant part of the process. For most older adults, functional decline is inevitable—our mental processing speed slows, and short-term memory becomes less reliable. That new person you just met earlier in the day? Their name might not come back to you as quickly as it did when you were twenty.
That said, many cognitive abilities are likely to remain stable. Healthy aging usually includes preserved language skills, for example, even as some senses—like vision or hearing—begin to fade.
As a psychiatry resident, I’ve found it critical to distinguish between normal cognitive aging and pathological decline. Screening tools like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE®) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA®) allow clinicians to quickly assess and monitor changes in cognitive function.
Another major concern is mental health.
Depression is frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in older adults. Symptoms such as fatigue and sleep disturbances are often brushed off as “just part of getting old.” I make it a point to ask direct but compassionate questions about mood, isolation and loneliness.
The earlier we recognize depression and begin therapy—or medication when necessary—the better the patient’s quality of life. More nurses or healthcare providers who take on a multidisciplinary focus, including mental health and gerontology, would really benefit the high demand of our aging population.
This is a focus point of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA®) , an organization that looks at many angles of aging. It's a good resource for anyone interested in gerontology.
4. The social concerns of aging
The social environment you're in plays a major role in how you experience the aging process.
Retirement, or the inability to retire, the loss of loved ones, shrinking social circles and societal ageism can all impact your well-being. These social changes are often just as impactful as physical ones—and sometimes even more so.
During my early nursing career at a hospital in South Florida, I regularly cared for patients from nearby high-rise retirement buildings. Many of these older adults experienced deep social isolation. To me, this was a serious health risk, comparable to smoking or obesity.
We know that a lack of support can increase depression, worsen existing conditions and delay recovery. It also removes the "safety net" elements that we tend to have in our younger years. Someone to ask how you are doing and care about how you answer, someone to pick up a prescription for you or grab some fresh produce on their way over...Someone who will notice if you get sick and can't get out of bed for a while.
Whenever possible, I encouraged those patients to engage with their communities—whether that meant attending building events, joining volunteer committees or simply playing cards with neighbors. Small steps can help reduce isolation and strengthen a sense of belonging.
Gerontology and public health policy
From a public health standpoint, understanding a patient’s support system, social background and family dynamics is essential for care planning. Social workers are key partners in this process, helping to arrange home health services or connect patients with needed resources. A discharge plan is only as strong as the support system that follows it.
Gerontology as a discipline highlights the need for better systems to support the older population.
Focus areas like environmental gerontology and social gerontology recognize that there's little use in addressing a health concern if you do nothing about the factors that cause or exacerbate it.
In clinical settings, I’ve seen older adults discharged with minimal assistance, only to struggle with managing medications or basic care—which then leads to readmission. These are examples of aging-related issues that need broader solutions.
Programs that help people stay in their homes with the right support, for example, can make a huge difference in the health and medical outcomes the aging population experiences. As nurses, we often serve as core advocates for our patients. That advocacy doesn’t stop at the bedside—it extends to helping shape care plans and policies that truly meet the needs of older adults.
Gerontology’s impact on healthcare practice
With the rising aging population, gerontology is becoming essential in healthcare. While geriatrics focuses on diagnosing and treating disease, gerontology emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach that includes the physical, mental and social needs of older adults.
The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment is now the gold standard. I use it daily—checking for frailty, reviewing medications to avoid polypharmacy and screening for fall risks. Even medications like antihistamines or benzodiazepines, which may seem minor, could lead to serious complications such as delirium in older patients.
Nurses also play a key role in palliative care, helping lead discussions about goals of care and respecting patients’ end-of-life wishes. For more on that, check out What I Wish I Knew Before Working in Hospice Nursing.
My reflections on nursing and caring for older adults
Working with older adults has been one of the most meaningful parts of my nursing career. To care for those who came before us—who helped shape the world we live in—is a privilege.
Aging isn’t a disease to treat. It’s a powerful, natural part of later life. By approaching each patient holistically, we can offer care that reflects not just their medical needs, but their histories, dreams and vulnerabilities. This is how we preserve dignity and improve quality of life.
As nurses, we often provide more than medical care—we offer support, presence and compassion at a time when it matters most. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that gerontology is the study of how to enjoy a good quality of life throughout the aging process.
And it's highly relevant to you, whoever you are, because we all age.
Gerontology helps us better understand the aging process and therefore ourselves. To study gerontology is to embrace aging as a meaningful part of life. It’s not just about treatment. It’s about respect, dignity and improving quality of care.
As our population ages, understanding aging isn’t optional. It’s essential.
If you made it this far, you might have the kind of mind (and heart) that make a great nurse. Have you ever considered it? Check out Would I Be a Good Nurse? 11 Questions to Ask Yourself.
1Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Fact Sheet, National Institute of Aging, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-causes-and-risk-factors/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact-sheet
2GSA® is a registered trademark of The Gerontological Society of America
3MoCA® is a registered trademark of Test Moca Inc.
4Mini-Mental State Examination® is a registered trademark of Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.
