Gerontology is the study of aging.
It encompasses the physical, psychological, social, and economic aspects of growing old both in the normal and in the problematic manifestations of this development. It concerns itself with understanding these processes and with planning and delivery of services to meet the identified needs of the elderly. The increase in life expectancy and the growing proportion of older persons in the population represent a dramatic social change. Progress in these areas will depend on greater awareness of the issues, better understanding of the aging process, and more positive attitudes about growing old. The largest number of older persons, however, are well elderly.