GERON 537   INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY   3 Units

This course explores aging within the social context. Topics include demographics, physical and mental health, social roles and social supports, social health, family caregiving, economic health, and policies impacting aging and family caregiving. Current topics affecting aging, including diversity and Alzheimer¿s and other related dementias, will also be examined.

GERON 561   COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING IN AGING AND HEALTH   3 Units

The goal of course is to highlight a community need/concern in aging (locally, regionally, or wider community) and invite students to address the need/concern. This course involves students working with a community-based organization (CBO) that provides services, support, or advocacy to older adult or addresses aging related issues. Students will work with the CBO and undertake a project from start to finish.The project, which is established in advance by the instructor, involves students working in small groups in which students will evaluate a program, implement a new program, assist with enhancing practices, or advance organizational policies.

GERON 763   AGING POLICY   3 Units

This course will critically examine U.S. policies in aging as they relate to the overall health, including physical, social, and behavioral health, for older adults and their unpaid family caregivers. The course will emphasize the impact of changes in aging policy on the physical, social, and behavioral professionals' roles, and the connections between U.S. and State policies in aging and delivery systems.

GERON 765   ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER DEMENTIAS   3 Units

This course will examine Alzheimer's disease and related dementias as neurological diseases and how these diseases affect physiology and brain function. This course will further examine the psychosocial impacts of these diseases on the individual and family, and challenges these impacts present for public and social policies.