Why Practice Gerontology?
In the next half century, the elderly population in the United States is projected to more than triple in size — from 8 million to 31 million. Today, Oregon ranks 17th among the 50 states in the percentage of its population over age 65, but in less than 25 years the U.S. Bureau of the Census projects that Oregon will rank fourth. While the health care needs of some older adults are managed by clinicians trained specifically to care for an aging population, most older adults receive care from health professionals whose educational preparation focused on younger adults. Older adults have very complex health care needs. Increased numbers of advanced practice nurses who are able to provide leadership and high-quality care to this growing and vulnerable population are urgently needed.
