Author(s): Kylee Sellers, Stacy Packer
Mentor(s): Aimee L. Fox
Institution UVU
Gerontology, or the study of older adults and aging, is becoming more important as our older adult population in Utah and across the United States continues to grow. Many undergraduate students have a variety of misunderstandings and misconceptions about what is a normal part of aging and what is not. There are also stereotypes and stigmas perpetuated by media about older adults that can dissuade students from learning more about gerontology. This study explores why undergraduate students, ages 18-49 years, think gerontology education and training is important for college students and how their perceptions about aging and older adults changed during an Adult Development and Aging course. Sixty-three students enrolled in the course during the study semester were given a survey at the beginning and end of the course. Student responses were de-identified, downloaded, reviewed, and organized into themes. We found that after taking the course, students expressed the importance of gerontological training for preparing themselves and others for (healthy) aging and potential caregiving needs, developing empathy and compassion for older adults, and increasing awareness and understanding of the experiences of older adults. Students reported that several experiential learning activities were catalysts for changing their understanding and perceptions of aging, including conducting interviews with different aged adults and older adults, and engaging in an aging simulation. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the need for more education on aging to a broader group of students. Some topics that can be useful for students include facts about aging, such as what is normal aging and what is not, and learning about lifestyle and social factors that promote healthy aging. Perceptions of aging are altered when accurate information has been taught through course work and experienced through simulations and interviews with older adults. Additional research is needed to collect data from students across more diverse fields of study. Through gerontological education, students will be better prepared for their own aging experiences, to support aging family members, to work for and with older adults in their careers, and to become advocates for older adults in their communities.