The American population is getting older—quickly.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, older adults will outnumber children in the U.S. by 2034. The number of people in the U.S. age 65 and older is expected to grow to nearly 90 million by 2050.

As coordinator of Missouri State’s gerontology program, Dr. Maureen Templeman, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology, always has statistics on hand. She can quickly illustrate just how broadly a gerontology education can be applied to what economists call the “longevity economy.” The term refers to the goods, services and industries driven by older adults’ needs and spending habits, Templeman said.

A recent AARP statistic, for example, estimates that adults age 50+ contribute $8.3 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. According to Templeman, this trend contradicts the stereotype that older adults are dependent. Instead, they are consumers, workers, caregivers and community members.

And employers are looking for professionals who can address the needs of this growing population.

Workforce training for the “longevity economy”

Templeman wants students to know that gerontology is not a niche field of study. It is a vibrant and growing career option.

“It’s relevant to almost every career path you can imagine,” Templeman said. “We live and work in an aging society.”

In short, gerontology students graduate with skillsets that can be used in any career. These include, but are not limited to, healthcare, social work, law, finance, public policy, education, architecture, communications and technology.

“Really, any field where understanding the needs and experiences of older adults is an asset,” Templeman said.

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