By: Maude Alston, R.N., Ph.D., Professor Emeritus

The study of aging has gained increasing attention in recent years as the exploding population of elderly generates political, economic, and social issues. As a demographic wave, today's elderly constitute a generation that will live longer and healthier than any previous aging cohort, thereby charting new territory in human potential, achievement, and development. This provides a challenge to students of gerontology and to those engaged in providing service to elders. In order to meet the challenge, it is necessary to master a gerontological knowledge base that portrays the unique characteristics of aging individuals within, not isolated from, the social world.

This Computer Assisted Instructional system (Gerontology I) explores aging from a holistic perspective and integrates fundamental concepts of gerontology into an understandable, applied framework that is appropriate for undergraduate students of gerontology as well as for professional use for in-service and continuing education.

The CAI is composed of 12 lessons: Lessons 1, 2, and 3 describe gerontology as an area of study, portray trends in the United States as well as globally, and describe changes and theories of aging which include biological and psychosocial perspectives. Lessons 4 and 5 explore intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing successful aging. These include biological, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and environmental elements necessary for developing a holistic view of aging. Lessons 6 through 9 discusses physiological changes associated with normal aging and alterations in each body system. Additionally, normal cognitive alterations as a consequence of aging are identified. The program concludes with lessons 11 and 12 in which the social aspects of aging are explored from health and political perspectives. Access to health care by the aged and the team approach to provision of care are capstone lessons, based on an understanding of all previous content.

This system is nearing completion of revision with upgrade coming in the second quarter or 2005. This system is enhanced by the student workbook and comprehensive instructor guide.

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