What Is a Gerontologist and Why Might I Need One?
Gerontology is a fairly new area of academic study. A Gerontologist is someone with a minimum of a Master’s Degree who has studied the various aspects of aging, including the biology of aging, the psychology of aging, the different theories of how the human body ages, death and dying, the area of benefits (such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid), and the sociology of aging. A Gerontologist may specialize in one or more areas of study. Most Gerontologists, having furthered their studies by earning a PhD, pursue careers in academia where they do extensive research and teaching. However, some Gerontologists work in long-term care or become Geriatric Care Managers. This is the “practical” aspect of gerontology.
You might want or need a Gerontologist if you are attempting to help an older parent/relative stay independent or move from independent living to a higher level of care. In this instance, a Gerontologist who is a care manager and who knows how to do assessments and provide pertinent information/referral as well as compassionate understanding would be of great value. If you are a long-distance caregiver and worry about how your loved one is doing but you simply cannot be there, you could derive great assistance from a Gerontologist/Geriatric Care Manager. You might want to consult a Gerontologist/Geriatric Care Manager if you, yourself, are getting older and wonder about the resources, costs, benefits available as you continue on the journey. Perhaps you have no children and/or close relatives: a Gerontologist/Geriatric Care Manager can be a professional “substitute” for the daughter you don’t have.
It is important not to confuse a Gerontologist with a Geriatrician. A Gerontologist is a social scientist; a Geriatrician is a medical doctor with board certification in Geriatric Medicine. | 
