Vision
We will empower people to age well and live a positive healthy life.
Mission
The Institute of Gerontology leads cutting edge research and education in the classroom and community. We advance our healthy aging mission through collaborative strengths in mental health and cognition, technology innovation, and positive lifestyle promotion.
Since its founding in 1965, the Institute of Gerontology has focused on the changing needs of older adults in Georgia. The IoG promotes innovation in education, research, and outreach programs by supporting education leading to formal degrees, identifying high impact research questions in public health and public policy, and sharing the results of research with local, state, national, and international audiences.
With institutional roots dating back over 50 years, the Institute of Gerontology at the UGA College of Public Health is at the vanguard of formally-supported gerontological research and training opportunities in the United States. Our activities include graduate and post-doctoral training, collaborative basic and applied research, and faculty development. Institute faculty provide expertise to public, private, and professional organizations.
Institute of Gerontology History
In July of 1965, UGA President O.C. Aderhold appointed Dr. Robert P. Wray as the chairman of a Multi-Departmental Council on Gerontology. The Council consisted of twelve members representing a diversity of institutes, departments, schools, and colleges across the University. At that time, Dr. Wray’s position in gerontology was jointly supported by the School of Social Work and the Center for Continuing Education. Over the next 20 years, gerontology flourished under the directorships of Dr. Wray, Dr. David Levine, Dr. James Thorson, and Dr. James Montgomery, and Dr. Leonard W. Poon, who served as Institute’s Director and Chair of the Faculty of Gerontology from 1985 until his retirement in 2011.
Today, the Institute of Gerontology serves as home to UGA’s Faculty of Gerontology with over 25 UGA faculty members representing various institutes, departments, schools, and colleges across the University. In 2005, the Institute became a unit of the newly created College of Public Health, expanding its research and opportunities into the field of public health.
What is Gerontology?
Definition of Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of aging and older adults. The science of gerontology has evolved as longevity has improved. Researchers in this field are diverse and are trained in areas such as physiology, social science, psychology, public health, and policy. A more complete definition of gerontology includes all of the following:
- Scientific studies of processes associated with the bodily changes from middle age through later life;
- Multidisciplinary investigation of societal changes resulting from an aging population and ranging from the humanities (e.g., history, philosophy, literature) to economics; and
- Applications of this knowledge to policies and programs.
The Difference Between Gerontology and Geriatrics
Gerontology is multidisciplinary and is concerned with physical, mental, and social aspects and implications of aging. Geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on care and treatment of older persons. Although gerontology and geriatrics have differing emphases, they both have the goal of understanding aging so that people can maximize their functioning and achieve a high quality of life.
Why Study Gerontology?
With an understanding of gerontology, an individual can make plans for her or his own life course and needs, and communities and legislators can make necessary public policy choices. Public policy decisions are critical because of the tremendous growth of our population aged 65. Georgia’s older adult population is the fourth fastest growing in the nation and currently numbers 1.2 million. The South added nearly 2.5 million older adults between 2000 and 2010. Nationally, it is projected that the older population will double to 89 million by 2050 – a rate of growth that is twice as fast as the under age 50 population. The demand for professionals with expertise in gerontology will mirror these increases.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Institute of Gerontology, its research, academic programs, or service, we want to hear from you.
Hudson Hall
Health Sciences Campus
102 Spear Road
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-2539
[email protected]
