Gerontology
Definition
Gerontology is the broad scientific study of ageing and later life. It includes biological, psychological, social, and policy perspectives on how people age and how ageing affects individuals and societies. [1]
Why It Matters in Ageing Research
The term matters because not all ageing research is purely molecular or medical. Gerontology provides the wider framework for studying ageing across biology, function, behavior, care, and population change, which helps place narrower fields like geroscience into context. [2] [3]
Common Confusion
- Gerontology is broader than geriatrics, which is the clinical care of older adults.
- Gerontology is also broader than geroscience, which focuses more specifically on ageing biology and chronic disease mechanisms.
- Gerontology includes social and psychological ageing, not just molecular processes.
Related Reading
References
- University of Georgia, College of Public Health. What is gerontology? https://publichealth.uga.edu/research/research-institutes/institute-of-gerontology/about/what-is-gerontology/
- Rasmussen University. What is gerontology? https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/what-is-gerontology/
- ScienceDirect Topics. Gerontology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/gerontology
Note
This glossary entry is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.