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According to The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), there are almost 35 million Americans aged 65 and older, accounting for nearly 13% of all Americans, compared to only 4% in 1900. By 1996, the average life expectancy in the United States had climbed to76 years, from less than 50 years at the turn of the century.

An Aging Population

What these statistics show is that we have an aging population of adults, and the services and areas in which one can develop a career in working with the aging population continue to grow as well. There are many career paths one can choose in working with the elderly; it is not just health care that the field of gerontology encompasses.

Two Diverse Groups

Gerontology is a comprehensive study of the aging process and reaches into a broad range of areas. Some elderly adults are very active and healthy, while others are more fragile, suffering from various illnesses and diseases.

For those who are active and healthy, specialized goods and services are needed to accommodate this growing branch of our society. For those who are not in good health, there is an increasing need for health care professionals in different areas to provide the services these older adults need.

A Wide Range of Career Options

The AGHE lists areas such as Marketing & Product Development, Education & Training, Research and others in addition to many areas that fall under the umbrella of health care services as viable career paths. So if you’re interested in working with the elderly and making a difference to improve the quality of life of the aging population, do a little research and find out how you can develop a rewarding career in the field of gerontology.

When you’re ready to go back to school to earn your college degree, discover the options waiting for you at Accredited-Online-Colleges.com, a directory of online colleges and universities offering online degrees in health care, criminal justice, education, technology, business and more.