Gerontology vs. Geriatrics: The High Demand in Health Care

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As the nation ages, demand for elder care professionals increases. Aging is a natural occurrence that leads to the breakdown of physical and mental functions, but with specialized care, seniors can live healthy, happy lives well into advanced age. Nurses must be aware of the particular challenges facing elderly patients and respond to them with specific expertise. Two of the most prominent fields in elder care are geriatrics and gerontology.

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2050, at least 1 in 5 Americans will be over the age of 65. Elder care providers are now a significant subset of medical personnel. Age-related illnesses may be either physical or mental and may come with prescription regimens that involve dozens of pills that must be administered daily. Each patient is different, and caregivers must adapt to their needs. Despite similarities between the fields, several differences mark gerontology vs. geriatrics. Before you can understand those differences, you must explore the responsibilities of each area.

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Geriatrics is the branch of medicine focused on the treatment and care of the elderly. There’s no definitive age limit to “elderly”; typically, patients over 65 are eligible for treatment in elder care facilities.

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Gerontology is the scientific study of the elderly and aging, including the changes that occur as people enter middle age. Knowledge in the field has grown as the average life expectancy has increased, offering researchers more time to study the effects of aging on individual subjects. Gerontology can also affect policy, as it studies how aging can impact the economy and social networks. By combining these studies in a scientific framework, the field offers insights into dealing with an aging population.

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While geriatrics deals with the care of the elderly and their needs, gerontology is the study of aging and its impacts on the population. Gerontologists perform a support function in educating and understanding aging, while geriatricians deal with the care of these older adults. The difference in approaches between gerontology and geriatrics is a matter of scope. Gerontology uses a multidisciplinary approach to study the problems that the elderly face and seek out big-picture solutions. Geriatricians deal with the issues that their patients may be facing today.

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Nurses interested in working with the elderly can pursue further education to become AGNPs, acting as primary caregivers to the elderly, diagnosing illnesses and, in some states, prescribing medication. An AGNP must be able to outline a primary care path for patients and leverage both clinical and nonclinical skills to make their lives easier. Among these skills are:

• Clinical. AGNPs must be able to complete clinical tasks such as performing emergency medical procedures, administering blood transfusions, and conducting procedures like catheterization.
• Communication. Conveying health updates and treatment plans to patients and their families with clarity, compassion, and consistency is an essential competency.
• Coordinating care. Patients with complex conditions need to have the different facets of their treatment coordinated to deliver the best possible care.
• Understanding the aging process. Humans age differently, but certain conditions are similar across patients. AGNPs must understand the physical and mental impacts of aging on their patients.
• Providing support and education. Understanding aging enables AGNPs to better advise and educate families about how their loved ones need to be cared for. Nurse practitioners may also help them come to terms with the aging process.
• Developing chronic illness treatment plans. AGNPs may have to deal with patients nearing the end of their lives or who have chronic illnesses that can’t be cured. Managing these illnesses is a crucial skill.

AGNPs may decide to become primary care nurse practitioners (AG-PCNP) or acute care nurse practitioners (AG-ACNP). AG-PCNPs typically provide initial health assessments, make referrals, and assist with patient health maintenance, in particular with patients with chronic illnesses. AG-ACNPs provide more advanced health assessments and treatment recommendations in acute care settings and carry out patient management duties, from admission to discharge.

According to October 2019 data from PayScale, AGNPs earn an average annual salary of around $89,000, with the top 10% earning as much as $108,000.

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Elder care requires dedicated personnel to understand patients’ needs and to deliver appropriate care. Graduates of Maryville University’s online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs receive specialized training in tending to the needs of their patients. Students will take courses such as:

• Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management
• Health Care Policy
• Professional Role Development

Each of these imparts essential skills for future AGNPs. If you are ready to explore a career in elder care, explore the benefits of Maryville’s comprehensive and flexible online programs today.