Gerontology and aging studies

Concordia University’s gerontology and aging studies program educates students about lifespan development, later life and their own place in an aging society. The Gerontology and Aging Studies program serves professionals who have a heart for older adult services and ministry, as well as those interested in understanding the needs of those in an aging society. Learn more about the gerontology and aging studies program at Concordia.

In churches, the congregation is at its best when it cares for its members that suffer and need the assurance that God, known through the faces of parishioners themselves, loves the older person with a dedicated and steadfast love." -- Mary Eileen Andreasen, Director of Aging and Disability Ministry, Archdiocese of Omaha

In brief from the Gerontology and Aging Studies Program

[POSTED 2010-03-01] 
Dr. Renea Gernant, director of gerontology and aging studies, presented papers at two recent conferences. The papers focused on the importance of end-of-life care and a summary of research done regarding the use of animal-assisted therapy with older adults. [MORE]

[POSTED 2010-03-01] 
More academic options are now available at Concordia for gerontology students at the graduate, undergraduate and also non-traditional undergraduate level. [MORE]

[POSTED 2009-05-14] 
Dr. Renea Gernant has posted an update on the seven students taking part in the Generations project she oversees. The Generations project is supported by Wheatridge Ministries. [MORE]

[POSTED 2007-12-14] 
Wheat Ridge Ministries has granted Concordia $35,000 towards the Generations Project, an initiative to establish new long-term senior ministry projects through an action-based gerontology curriculum. Under the direction of Dr. Renea Gernant, director of gerontology and aging ministries, Concordia will begin in 2008 to offer a gerontology specialization option and a certification in gerontology within its collection of Family Life Ministry courses.  [MORE]

[POSTED 2007-12-14] 
Issues in Christian Education, Concordia's academic journal, has published two issues within the last year that will be of interest: The fall 2007 issue, Ministry Among the Generations and the spring 2007 issue, The Coming Age Wave: Are We Ready?