 Gerontology International General Symposium 2004
Message to the Symposium
"The Gift of Time" by Dr. Ansello
I am looking forward to meeting all the researchers and people working in the gerontology field at the symposium on Monday July 5 sponsored by Nippon Care-Fit Service Association and supported by Mainichi Newspapers. I would like to share my thoughts, "The Gift of Time," prior to the symposium.
 A New World
In such developed nations as Japan, the United States, and the countries of Western Europe, average life expectancy is now 25 to 30 years longer than before. I call this amazing increase "The Gift of Time," for these added years carry more opportunities to learn, to grow, and to contribute meaningfully to our families and communities. |
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Edward F. Ansello, Ph.D.
Former Director, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE)
Director, Virginia Center on Aging, Virginia Commonwealth University |
Why Do We Need Gerontology?
Having more older adults in the population has implications for family life, for businesses, for the educational system, for recreational outlets, and for health care, just to name a few. Therefore, gerontology is relevant for psychologists, sociologists, lawyers, educators, recreation specialists, physical therapists, social workers, nurses, and physicians. Having more older adults who live longer means that families can expect to have four or five generations alive simultaneously. This has implications for the housing and telecommunications and transportation industries. Having more older persons who live longer means that businesses and governments must plan for pensions and retirement benefits that cost more and last a longer time. Consequently, gerontology is relevant for economists, bankers, financial planners, insurance providers, and public policy makers.
Educational Gerontology
About 300 institutions of higher education in the United States are members of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). As mentioned, service providers, educators, researchers, policy makers, health care personnel, and others need to know about the best practices for understanding and interacting with older adults. As an educational gerontologist, I believe that growing older is The Gift of Time. Aging allows us the opportunity to realize our potential, to give to others, to learn about ourselves. And I believe that there are more opportunities in Japan than there are in the United States to confront the ultimate question of life,
"Why?" |
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