Geriatric Training
The number of health care professionals that are specializing in geriatric care is declining, while the Baby Boomer generation is gearing up to turn 65 in record numbers. There are fewer than 9,000 geriatricians in the U.S., and the number is expected to fall to 6,000 due to retirement and declines in re-certification. Furthermore, Less than 10% of medical schools require separate coursework or rotation in geriatrics, and less than 3% of medical school graduates take elective courses in this specialization.As Americans start living longer lives, it is important to provide the specialized care that they will need. While many medical students steer clear of geriatrics, but many who specialize in this field report high job satisfaction, mostly because of the gratefulness of their patients. In most cases, it is a highly rewarding career. We urge you to take the time to learn more about this rewarding specialization.
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Related Publications
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Science in the SpotlightMuscle Loss & Aging: Combatting Sarcopenia and Lost Independence
Winter 2013 | Alliance for aging Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Drug Development Geriatric Training HealthTypically, our muscles grow larger and stronger as we age. That is, until about the time we celebrate our 30th birthdays. That’s when most of us start down the other side of the hill and begin to gradually lose our muscle mass, strength, and function. While it’s usually not very noticeable in our 30s and 40s, the loss increases exponentially with age and tends to accelerate between the ages of 65 and 80.
This progressive loss of muscle mass is called sarcopenia, and it’s found to play a major role in the increased frailty, disability, and functional impairment that too often come with aging. While sarcopenia is a condition that is not uncommon with age, we don’t have to just sit back and accept it. There are things we can do to slow its progress, and current research promises to make that trip over-the-hill less traumatic. -
Press Release2012 MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award® Recipient Announced
June 25, 2012
Related topics: Geriatric Training Health Longevity Medical Innovation Policy Quality of Care Research2012 MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award® Recipient Announced -
Press Release2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding
May 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's HealthMore than 65 disease groups, not-for-profit patient advocacy organizations, and foundations urge Congress and President Obama to restore a national commitment to medical research on behalf of America’s aging population. In a report released today, the 2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding calls for at least a 7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2010 to halt the erosion of the nation’s research base and facilitate medical discoveries to fight diseases and disabilities that disproportionately affect older Americans.
