Demographers know that the population of the United States is aging. Only recently, however, have they started to gauge how the change in demographic structure will affect such societal issues as retirement, health care, family structure, and social services. Morris Okun directs the Adult Development and Aging Program at Arizona State University. He says that aging is an area that intersects with virtually every other discipline of study.
Gerontology is a fertile research area.
Our program is a loosely networked group of more than 60 faculty members who study a variety of issues that relate to aging. Some of those issues include interventions that help seniors to maintain emotional and physical health, to develop grandparenting and communication skills, to enhance understanding of written medical materials, and to negotiate their environment more effectively. As a society, we are only beginning to recognize that older people have different needs. We are just starting to turn our attention to learning about how to serve those needs. Baby boomers are coming of age and a large number of them are likely to migrate to Arizona.